In a recent interview, a top U.S. Navy admiral revealed that the ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea is the most extensive naval battle the U.S. has faced since World War II.
What Happened: Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command, disclosed during CBS’s “60 Minutes” that the Navy has deployed around 7,000 sailors to the Red Sea, reported Business Insider. This is the largest naval engagement for the U.S. since World War II.
“I think you’d have to go back to World War II where you have ships who are engaged in combat,” Cooper said.
The conflict, which began in mid-November, involves Iranian-backed Houthi rebels targeting ships in the Red Sea in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The U.S. has attributed these attacks to Iranian support.
Cooper stated that the U.S. has been actively disrupting the Iranian supply chain to the Houthis and has formed an international naval coalition to safeguard ships in the region. The Navy has also intercepted several illegal weapon shipments from Iran to the Houthis.
Why It Matters: This interview comes on the heels of a significant development in the conflict. Just two days ago, on Feb. 18, the U.S. announced the first-ever sighting and neutralization of an underwater drone deployed by Houthi fighters in the Red Sea. This marked a new phase in the conflict and demonstrated the Houthis’ increasingly sophisticated military capabilities.
The ongoing conflict in the Red Sea has had significant global repercussions. The disruptions to shipping routes have already impacted the shipping industry, with companies like Moller Maersk warning of potential earnings hits due to the crisis.
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