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DUBAI.- The bulk carrier Tutor, Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned, sank in the Red Sea after a Houthi attack that killed a sailorauthorities reported this Wednesday. This is the second ship sunk in a rebel campaign that has led the United States to deal the most intense maritime fight since the Second World War, with almost daily attacks on commercial and warships.
“Military authorities report that maritime debris and oil have been sighted at the last reported location,” said the British Maritime Trade Operations agency (Ukmto). “The ship is believed to have sunk.” The Houthis, who cited foreign reports in media they control, They recognized the sinking.
The sinking of the Tutor in the Red Sea marks what seems be a new escalation by the Houthis in their campaign directed against some ships that cross the corridor maritime in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
After this second collapse, the main groups in the sector said on Wednesday that Urgent measures must be taken to put an end to the attacks.
“It is deplorable that innocent sailors are attacked when they are simply doing their job, a vital job that keeps the world warm, fed and clothed”said the world’s leading shipping associations in a joint statement. ”These attacks must stop now. We call on States with influence in the region to safeguard to our innocent sailors and for the situation in the Red Sea to calm down quickly.”
The battle markings on the F/A-18 aircraft aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea reflect this tense situation. The plane has destroyed 15 missiles and six drones in recent monthsa clear sign of the intensity of the fight to protect commercial shipping from persistent missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The intensity and duration of these clashes have led leaders and experts to declare that this is the most significant naval battle the United States Navy has faced since World War II. This conflict not only represents a logistical and operational challenge for the approximately 7,000 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea and its strike group, but also raises serious questions about the future deployment of American forces in the region.
The Eisenhower deployment, which has already been extended twice, faces a debate at the Pentagon over whether to bring the carrier home or keep it in the Red Sea longer. The main concern is how to replicate the Eisenhower’s combat power if it returns to Norfolk, Virginia. Military leaders in the Middle East insist the need for an aircraft carrier in the region to deter Iran and confront Houthi attacks effectively.
The rear admiral Marc Miguez, commander of Carrier Strike Group Two, highlighted the importance of aircraft carriers for the Navy’s flexibility and offensive capability. “It is sovereign territory of the United States. You can do whatever you want with those planes on that aircraft carrier. That gives you enormous flexibility when considering response options across the region.“, he claimed.
However, keeping the Eisenhower in the Red Sea It is not a simple solution. Flight restrictions imposed by Arab nations in the region and the need for maintenance of the aircraft carrier and its support ships complicate the decision. Additionally, sailors face a considerable stress due to prolonged deploymentwhich has led to concerns about his well-being and the need for counseling and treatment for possible post-traumatic stress disorder.
A possible solution It would be deploying other aircraft carriers or turning to allies, such as France or the United Kingdom, to temporarily cover the presence in the Red Sea. However, this option also has its limitations, as the United States only operates 11 aircraft carriers, many of which are in maintenance or deployed in other strategic regions such as the Asia-Pacific.
Another alternative would be deploy the USS Waspa large amphibious assault ship that carries F-35 fighter jets, although these ships do not have the same capacity as a full aircraft carrier.
The fight in the Red Sea It has been constant and fierce. Almost daily attacks by the Houthis have targeted more than 60 boats, with shipping volume decreasing significantly in this vital corridor. American destroyers, like the USS Laboon, face a grueling combat pace, with sailors sometimes having just seconds to respond to Houthi missile launches.
On January 9, in a single round of gunfire, The Laboon and other ships, along with Eisenhower’s F/A-18s, shot down 18 dronestwo anti-ship cruise missiles and one ballistic missile launched by the Houthis.
The war in Gaza, which has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, has been cited by the Houthis as a reason for their attacks. However, many of the vessels attacked have no direct relationship to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Houthi attacks have reduced container shipping in the Red Sea by 90% since December, affecting up to 15% of global maritime traffic that passes through this corridor. Furthermore, recent US-led bombings have destroyed Houthi infrastructure and killed numerous fighters and civilians, exacerbating the situation.
AP and Reuters Agencies
THE NATION
