Houthi militants target ships in new Red Sea attacks
Yemen’s Houthi militants launched two separate attacks Monday, July 15, on ships in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in this vital maritime corridor. The initial attack targeted the MT Bentley I, a Panama-flagged and Israeli-owned vessel, off the coast of Yemen.
Three Houthi vessels attempted to breach the ship, leading to a 15-minute defense by the crew before the attackers withdrew. The ship’s captain later reported that three waves of missiles exploded near the vessel.
In a second incident, the MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone hit the tanker’s port side, causing minor damage.
All crew members from both ships were reported safe.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the incidents, denouncing the Houthis’ actions as reckless and destabilizing. This happens as the USS Theodore Roosevelt heads to the region to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which has been countering Houthi threats for months.
These latest attacks are part of an ongoing pattern since November 2023. During this period, the Houthis have targeted over 70 vessels, resulting in the deaths of four sailors and significant disruptions to maritime traffic. Attacks peaked in June, reaching levels not seen since the previous December. One recent strike even sank the bulk carrier Tutor.
As a result, container shipping through the Red Sea has plummeted by 90% since December, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
The Houthis assert that their attacks target vessels linked to Israel, the United States or Britain, purportedly supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel. However, many of the targeted ships have no direct connection to this conflict.
In response, the international community, led by the U.S., has intensified its military and diplomatic efforts against the Houthis. U.S.-led airstrikes have increased since January, with significant strikes in May killing at least 16 people.
The Ike Carrier Strike Group is returning to Norfolk, Virginia, after an extended deployment, with the crew is being recognized for their role in one of the most intense naval conflicts since World War II. This marks the first time a carrier has operated in Middle Eastern waters since the end of the Afghanistan War in 2021.
The carrier’s deployment involved approximately 14,000 flight missions targeting Houthi drones and attack boats, launching a total of 155 standard missiles, 135 Tomahawk missiles, 60 air-to-air missiles and 420 air-to-surface weapons.
Addressing moral injury within the special forces: Weapons and Warfare
In this episode of Weapons and Warfare, the focus is on moral injury — a type of trauma that can’t be seen. Host Ryan Robertson delves into the topic, exploring its definition and the level of understanding surrounding it. The episode highlights experts’ insights and the necessary steps to address moral injury within the special forces community.
Also featured in this episode:
A warning from U.S. intelligence that China is attempting to recruit American aviators.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed terms for a cease-fire.
The commander of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower turned to social media to battle a misinformation campaign from Houthi rebels.
Celebrate Independence Day with America’s patriotically named vessels, vehicles and weapons in this weapon of the week
Israel’s Iron Dome naval variant scoring kills at sea
Israel’s Iron Dome is one of the world’s premier air defense systems. It was first put into service to protect land-based targets more than a decade ago. Now, the technology behind it is scoring kills at sea too.
The C-Dome is the naval version of the Iron Dome. It uses advanced radars and sensors to identify, track and intercept aerial threats. It can also be programmed to ignore threats that aren’t going to hit anything critical.
A Sa'ar 6-class corvette successfully intercepted a UAV that approached Israeli territory from the southeast using the "C-Dome" Defense System earlier this evening.
The Israeli Navy installed C-Domes on its four modern Sa’ar 6-class corvettes and deployed the vessels to the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Corvettes are naval ships that are smaller and more maneuverable than frigates or destroyers, and they are typically used for patrolling coastlines.
One of the C-Domes on those corvettes scored the system’s first combat interception in April. It was an unmanned aerial vehicle downed over the Red Sea, likely fired by the Houthis in Yemen.
Israel’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes are seeing plenty of action as the Israel Defense Forces continue to battle Hamas terrorists in Gaza, prepare for a larger fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, while also defending against aerial attacks from the Houthis and other Iranian-backed proxies — not to mention Iran itself.
With so many outside threats, Israel’s air defense systems need to be exceptional.
Rafael, the company that makes the Iron Dome and C-Dome systems, said they each serve as critical layers in Israel’s overall air defense array. To date, the Iron Dome is responsible for more than 6,000 combat interceptions, including everything from mortars to rockets, missiles and drones.
Much like the land-based Iron Dome, the C-Dome can intercept a variety of threats, bringing versatility in defending potential targets at sea. It can intercept rockets, cruise missiles, sea-skimming missiles, helicopters and drones.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the C-Dome is its modularity; any vessel with enough deck space could carry the C-Dome and immediately integrate a top-of-the-line air defense system into the ship without the need to punch holes in the hull or retrofit the deck.
It’s entirely possible, or even likely, the U.S. Navy will look to the C-Dome as a possible solution for some of its own defensive needs. In the era of Great Power Competition — with a conflict between China and/or Russia on the horizon — proven, effective, and adaptable air defense systems are going to be worth their weight in gold.
This is why the U.S. Marine Corps bought dozens of Iron Dome systems from Rafael and plans to put them on as many small islands as possible in the Pacific.
The Houthis are reaping Reapers in the Red Sea
Since October, Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down five U.S.-operated MQ-9 Reapers. These unmanned aerial systems, larger than some planes, are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), but they can also carry munitions, such as Hellfire missiles.
Straight Arrow News’ Ryan Robertson spoke to Jonathon Molik, a U.S. intelligence officer with 30 years of experience.
“Is that alarming to you, as an intelligence officer, to hear so many Reapers going down and being recovered?” Robertson asked.
“You know, that’s a good question,” Molik said, “I think, first of all, what it does is it helps to detail what the difference is between counterinsurgency operations and a conventional fight.”
Molik noted that Reapers first started flying during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when coalition forces enjoyed total air superiority.
“We had the ability to fly any assets — fixed-wing UAS or remotely piloted aircraft — with impunity, really,” he said.
Today, the Houthis are using Iranian-supplied SA-6 air defense missiles, which are finally proving capable of downing 20+ year old U.S. technology. Molik suggested that this might be why the public is not seeing any U.S. military attempts to scuttle the tech before it falls into enemy hands.
According to Molik, the military would likely move to destroy the hardware if it carried technology the enemy doesn’t already know about.
“It all really depends on which capabilities are on the device or on the asset at the time,” he said. “Some of these capabilities are widely known. They have electro-optical sensors, which basically just take images and video, and synthetic aperture radar, which was developed in the 1950s but is becoming more capable now. Those types of technologies are not something we’re all too concerned about. Pretty much everybody knows that we use those.”
Molik suggested the Reapers flying over Yemen right now are likely some of the more basic models, which are already being copied by the North Koreans and Iranians.
Iran’s domestically built drone, Mohajer-10, is displayed in an exhibition in a military compound belonging to the Defense Ministry, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Credit: AP Images.
In 2023, the Russians were able to force a Reaper into the Black Sea after a Russian fighter jet collided with the drone. That particular craft was running some advanced software, which the Defense Department was able to wipe remotely before the Reaper crashed.
After more than 20 years of gathering intelligence mostly unimpeded, Molik said the Reaper needs to adapt — and it is.
“[The military is] trying to find the best way to integrate these assets within a whole system of technologies,” he said. “They’re adding communications packages, advanced radar defense capabilities. They want to see these MQ-9 Reapers or the Grey Eagle, the Army version, the MQ-1C, integrated into a greater network of assets flying around at the same time.”
One example of the Reaper’s adaptation is pairing it with an Apache attack helicopter, part of a concept called “Manned-Unmanned Teaming.” Molik said the Apache pilot could tell the Reaper to perform duties the helicopter can’t, acting as a more direct force multiplier.
“That’s what we’re going to see going forward into the future,” he said. “And those are the types of capabilities and technologies you won’t see on the Reapers flying over Yemen right now because they don’t need them.”
Clearly, Reapers are not going away anytime soon. Molik said they’re too capable a platform to ditch, so they’ll be upgraded and integrated accordingly, like many other highly capable systems in the Defense Department’s inventory, such as the Bradley IFV and the B-52. (Long live the Buff!)
It’s also important to note that it’s not just the United States that will be using Reapers for years to come, other countries will too. In fact, India just bought 31 Reapers from the U.S. for just under $4 billion.
Houthis and Iranian university welcome expelled US students to join ranks
Protests across U.S. college campuses have captured the attention of many, including universities in Iran and Yemen. Now, those universities are reaching out to students and professors who may have been expelled over their activism.
“Students and even professors who have been expelled or threatened with expulsion can continue their studies in Shiraz University and I think that other universities in Shiraz and Fars province are prepared to do the same,” Iran’s Shiraz University President Mohammad Moreno said on Wednesday, May 1.
Houthi-ran Sanaa University in Yemen said the students could continue their education there, too. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia, which has disrupted global shipping with attacks in support of Palestinians, welcome expelled students to join them as well.
In another show of support for college protesters, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip expressed gratitude, with demonstrators putting up thank-you notes directed at several American universities.
“It is wonderful,” said Abu Yusuf Al-Habeel, a displaced Palestinian. “We thank all the students at American universities who stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their cause.”
While some have commended the protesters’ efforts, Gilan Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations went the other way during a speech on Wednesday at the U.N. General Assembly.
Erdan characterized college protests against the war in Gaza as “the murderous cries of the pro-Palestinian mobs.” He also described the protests as “Nazi-like behavior.” In addition, he accused the U.N. of spreading “anti-Israel vitriol” and said the organization’s “days were numbered.”
US sends head of Central Command to Israel as Iranian threat grows
The head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, reportedly arrived in Israel Thursday, April 11, to prepare for a possible attack by Iran. Intelligence reports indicated an attack by Iran or Iranian proxy groups could be “imminent,” U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
Iran blamed Israel for an airstrike on an Iranian embassy building in Syria during the week of April 1. The attack killed three senior Iranian military commanders. Iranian leaders vowed revenge against Israel in response.
American officials claimed the U.S. was not involved in the attack. They also said Israel did not tell U.S. intelligence officials about any planned strikes in Damascus, Syria.
President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security.
“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and proxies is ironclad,” Biden said. “We say it again, ironclad. We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security.”
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to the strike in a post on X.
“[Israel] should be punished, and it will be punished,” Khamenei wrote.
It’s unclear if Iran will use its own military forces to directly strike an Israeli target, or if one of Iran’s proxy groups will carry out an attack.
Tehran avoided a direct confrontation with Israel or its forces since Israel’s war in Gaza started.
U.S. officials said they are concerned an Iranian attack could escalate the war in the Middle East and cause a broader conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also vowed revenge on any attack against Israel.
“We established a simple principle: whoever hurts us, we hurt him,” Netanyahu said. “We are preparing to meet the security needs of the State of Israel both in defense and in attack. I and the people of Israel trust you, and may we all have great success.”
More than 1,200 Israelis died since the attack on a small Israeli village on Oct. 7. The Palestinian Health Authority, run by Hamas, said more than 33,000 Palestinians died since Israel retaliated against Hamas.
Do the Houthis really have hypersonic missiles now?
Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti news agency reported the Houthi militants in Yemen are now in possession of hypersonic missiles. The report said the Houthis’ missile forces successfully tested a missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel.
“Oh, good! The Houthis may have hypersonic missiles now! That should help ease tensions in the Middle East,” said no one. Before going further with this story, know that most of the details are coming from Russia, Iran and the Houthis. So take a lot of this with a grain of salt.
The Houthis “intend to begin manufacturing [the missiles] for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel.” The report cited an unidentified official but provided no evidence for the claim.
When the news first broke, there was talk the Houthis themselves had developed the weapons, which seems unlikely given they have neither the technical ability nor industrial infrastructure to develop such devices.
However Iran may have hypersonic missiles. The missile is called the “Fattah,” which is Farsi for “conqueror.” The Iranian regime launched a PR campaign around it last year; complete with artistic billboards saying the missile flies faster than 5,100 meters per second, or right around 11,500 miles per hour. That is fast enough to reach Israel in just 400 seconds.
That’s what Iran said the Fattah can do. However, Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s spokesperson, said there is no indication the Iranian regime even has hypersonic capabilities.
But that doesn’t mean Iran isn’t trying to develop them and use the Red Sea as a testing ground.
Commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps are fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Houthis in Yemen. There is a well-established smuggling pipeline of weapons from Iran going to Yemen and the Houthis.
Multiple shipments were seized in just the last few months alone, including one cache of items that included components for Iranian-made underwater drones. So, while it’s unclear whether Iran’s Fattah missile really is hypersonic, it is possible the Houthis at least have them and are getting ready to use them.
The Houthis started hinting about “surprises” in store for their at-sea battles weeks ago, and the Houthis’ leader said the group was going to start attacking ships trying to sail around Africa. That’s another prospect which seems unlikely given their location in Yemen. However, it could be possible if Iran supplies the Houthis with boats — like the ones they just sent Venezuela.
The one thing that is clear is that the Houthis are not being deterred by the numerous air strikes from the U.S. and U.K., however accurate they may be.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the militant group, said his fighters “continue to expand the effectiveness and scope of our operations to areas and locations the enemy never expects.”
He said his soldiers would also prevent ships “connected to the Israeli enemy even crossing the Indian Ocean.”
Alabama enacts IVF protections following Supreme Court decision
Alabama’s Governor has signed a bill into law aimed at protecting IVF patients and hospitals from prosecution following a near-three week pause in treatments. And—why New York is deploying hundreds of National Guard members to city subways. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Alabama enacts IVF protections following Supreme Court embryo decision
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey enacted legislation safeguarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices, following a controversial state Supreme Court decision that classified frozen embryos as children. This landmark ruling had previously led hospitals to suspend IVF treatments, fearing potential criminal prosecution.
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The legislation, which was expedited through the state legislature and signed by the governor late Wednesday, comes in response to urgent calls for the state to address the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision. This decision had permitted couples to pursue wrongful death lawsuits if their frozen embryos were mishandled and destroyed at fertility clinics.
I have signed SB159, the IVF protections legislation, after it received overwhelming support from the Alabama Legislature. #alpolitics
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 7, 2024
Under the new law, fertility patients, doctors, and hospitals are provided with legal protections, ensuring they “cannot be held criminally responsible if an embryo is destroyed.” Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that any civil damages awarded in such cases will be limited to the cost of one IVF cycle.
Following this significant development, some clinics in Alabama have announced that IVF treatments, which had been halted for two weeks, might resume as soon as today or Friday.
President Biden to deliver State of the Union address
President Joe Biden is slated to deliver his annual State of the Union address to the nation tonight, before a joint session of Congress this evening. The address is anticipated to cover key issues such as the economy, immigration, and the ongoing foreign conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
In tonight’s speech, Biden is expected to present his argument for re-election, leveraging one of his largest audiences ahead of the general election in November. The address follows closely on the heels of Super Tuesday, which has seemingly paved the way for a potential rematch between Biden and Trump in the upcoming presidential race.
Viewers can tune in to watch the State of the Union, which begins at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Armorer on ‘Rust’ movie set found guilty of involuntary manslaughter
Following the verdict, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney announced plans to appeal the decision. Baldwin, who has consistently denied pulling the trigger in the fatal accident, is slated to stand trial in July and has entered a plea of not guilty.
Three people killed in first fatal Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea
U.S. officials have reported a deadly attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The missile strike on a cargo ship resulted in the deaths of three crew members, the first fatalities in a series of Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.
The strike targeted the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned True Confidence, escalating tensions along a vital maritime route crucial for global shipping. Despite ongoing U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis, their aggressive actions persist, including the recent commandeering of a $50 million Kuwaiti crude oil cargo for Chevron Corp.
The U.S. Central Command reported the ship was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen, causing significant damage and injuring another four crew members.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated the attacks aim to lift the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
National Guard deployed to New York City subways to combat crime
In an effort to enhance passenger safety, a combined force of one thousand National Guardsmen and state police will be stationed throughout the subway network. These security personnel will focus on monitoring the city’s busiest stations and will conduct bag checks to search for weapons.
Addressing the recent violence, Governor Hochul stated, “These brazen, heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated. So today, in the wake of these latest attacks, I’m unveiling a five-point plan to rid our subways of people who commit crimes and protect all New Yorkers.”
Oakland Athletics unveil new Las Vegas stadium designs
The Oakland Athletics are set to dramatically alter the Las Vegas skyline with their new $1.5 billion stadium, drawing inspiration from the iconic Sydney Opera House. The team and their design partners revealed plans for the ambitious project this week, signaling a new era for the city and the franchise.
Together with @BIG_Architects and @HNTBCorp, we have unveiled the design for our new ballpark project in Las Vegas on the Tropicana site. BIG will serve as the design lead and HNTB as the sports/hospitality designer and architect of record.
Scheduled to replace the 67-year-old Tropicana Las Vegas by 2028, the 33,000-seat domed stadium will boast an outfield glass window offering panoramic views of the Strip, alongside the installation of the largest video board in Major League Baseball, measuring 18,000 square feet.
A’s owner John Fisher highlighted the decision to incorporate a non-retractable roof, emphasizing the stadium’s versatility for hosting a wide range of events throughout the year. The project’s hefty $1.5 billion price tag includes $380 million in public financing, with construction slated to begin next year.
First fatalities reported in Houthi shipping attacks in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the death of two crew members. The attack on the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier, True Confidence, marked the first fatal Houthi strike amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The attack exacerbated the conflict along a vital maritime route linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe, causing disruptions in global shipping. Despite ongoing U.S. airstrikes initiated in January, the Houthis have persisted in their assaults since November.
Iran also announced its intent to seize a $50 million cargo of Kuwaiti crude oil belonging to American energy firm Chevron Corp. This announcement follows the seizure of a tanker by Iran nearly a year ago.
Reports suggest that the attack on the True Confidence occurred after the vessel was hailed over the radio by individuals claiming to be the Yemeni military. This tactic, consistent with the Houthis’ previous actions in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, raises suspicions of their intentions to commandeer vessels.
According to two U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the anti-ship ballistic missile attack resulted in the deaths of two crew members and left six others injured. The State Department condemned the attack, highlighting the disregard for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
The full extent of damage to the Liberian-owned ship remains unclear, as the crew was forced to abandon the vessel and deploy lifeboats. Both U.S. and Indian naval forces assisted in rescue efforts.
In a prerecorded message, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their missile fire engulfed the vessel in flames. The rebels assert that their attacks will persist until the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.”
The motive behind the Houthis’ targeting of the True Confidence remains uncertain. The vessel was previously owned by Oaktree Capital Management, a Los Angeles-based fund.
Amidst these developments, a separate Houthi assault targeted the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer involved in the American campaign against the rebels. The Carney successfully intercepted bomb-carrying drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile.
“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.
CENTCOM Status Update on Missing U.S. Navy Seals
We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported… pic.twitter.com/OAMbn1mwK8
In a press release announcing the charges, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens Americans and partners in the region.
“Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce,” Monaco said.
