Bab Al-Mandeb Strait. (January 6, 2024): Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continue to fire missiles and drones at commercial shipping transiting the Red Sea and the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has responded. In this photo by MC3 Alice Husted, Lieutenant Junior Grade Ronnie Brooks, left, and Chief Quartermaster Kyle Lux monitor navigation as their ship transits the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, a waterway vital to the world economy.

The US military reports the USS Laboon shot down four drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the southern Red Sea on Saturday and the warship also answered distress calls from two commercial vessels.

Responding to these brazen attacks, the U.S. has launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational task force assembled to confront threats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. More than twenty countries have agreed to participate to ensure free navigation for all countries through this economically vital trading route.

Since the beginning of Operation Prosperity Guarding, roughly 1,500 commercial vessels have sailed through the Red Sea safely. The alternative is to divert shipping around the African Cape of Good Hope, a journey that adds ten days or more to delivery times globally. These delays have the potential to severely damage the world economic order.

In addition to the USS Laboon, the USS Carney, a destroyer already patrolling in the Red Sea, shot down 14 Houthi one-way attack drones as have French and British warships. American officials have warned the Houthi’s that they can expect a much more robust response should these provocations continue.

Stay tuned as this situation is likely to escalate putting our troops once again in harm’s way.