A recent drone attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea has brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by President Joe Biden’s Operation Prosperity Guardian. The footage, which shows a suicide drone hitting the tanker approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, raises concerns about potential environmental damage and highlights the inefficacy of current U.S. strategies.
The drone strike, carried out by the Iran-backed Houthis, targeted the tanker on its portside, raising fears of an oil spill. This attack is part of a series of strikes by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November. The Houthis claim these actions are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
President Biden admitted earlier this year that the U.S. military efforts in Yemen have not been successful in halting Houthi attacks on global shipping. “When you say working, are they stopping the Houthis, no. Are they going to continue, yes,” Biden stated in January, acknowledging the limited impact of U.S. interventions.
The Houthis have expanded their reach, attacking targets in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. In May, they captured a $30 million U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, adding to the U.S. military’s challenges in the region.
This latest incident underscores the difficulties facing Operation Prosperity Guardian. Critics argue that the Biden administration’s strategy has failed to achieve its goals and may have even exacerbated the threat posed by the Houthis.
The drone strike on the oil tanker not only raises environmental concerns but also highlights the broader implications for regional security and global shipping. As the conflict in Yemen persists, the effectiveness of U.S. policies and the future of Operation Prosperity Guardian remain in question.
The Biden administration must address these challenges to ensure the safety of international shipping routes and to stabilize the volatile region. The ongoing conflict in Yemen continues to pose a significant threat to global trade and regional stability.
