The US military has reported that it shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels towards a Maersk container ship in the Red Sea. This comes after the ship was hit by a missile earlier. Despite the formation of an international maritime mission to protect vessels in the Red Sea, the Houthi rebels have continued their attacks on commercial ships, according to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East. The US Navy responded to the distress call from the Maersk container ship by sending two destroyers, and the Denmark-owned vessel was found to be seaworthy with no reported injuries. However, hours later, four Houthi boats fired at the same ship and attempted to board it. US forces, including two helicopters, responded to the distress call and were fired upon by the Houthi vessels. In self-defense, the US Navy sank three of the boats and killed the crews, while the fourth boat fled the area. Fortunately, no damage to US personnel or equipment was reported.

These attacks by the Houthi rebels on international shipping have been ongoing since October 19, with approximately two dozen attacks recorded so far. The Houthis claim that their attacks are aimed at Israel-linked ships in an effort to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza. In response to these attacks, the US announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international initiative to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea. Since the operation started, around 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the region without being hit by drone or missile strikes, until now.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, is a crucial trade route that links markets in Asia and Europe. However, due to the seriousness of the attacks, several shipping companies have ordered their vessels to hold in place and avoid entering the strait until the security situation improves. Some major shippers have even opted to send their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and costs to their journeys.

To address the escalating situation, there are currently five warships from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom patrolling the waters of the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who heads the 5th Fleet, stated that since the start of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the ships have successfully shot down 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles.

In response to the attacks, Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies, had initially decided to reroute its ships away from the strait and the Red Sea. However, on December 25, they announced that they would resume sending ships through the strait, citing the international operation to protect commercial ships.

The Houthi rebels, who seized Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, have been engaged in a war against a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the government. While they have sporadically targeted ships in the region, their attacks have increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel, leading to container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries like Norway and Liberia being attacked or drawing missile fire.

Despite the efforts of Operation Prosperity Guardian and the multinational security initiative, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper believes that the Houthi attacks will likely continue. However, he also noted that the coalition is in direct communication with commercial ships, providing guidance on maneuvering and best practices to avoid being attacked. The coalition is also working closely with the shipping industry to coordinate security measures.

Overall, the situation in the Red Sea remains tense, with ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels posing a threat to international shipping. The international maritime mission and Operation Prosperity Guardian aim to protect commercial ships in the region, but the Houthis' determination to continue their attacks presents a challenge that demands collective action from the international community.