Admiral Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, emphasized the importance of stopping the flow of weapons from Iran to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. He warned that this is essential to safeguarding the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea for international shipping.
Speaking at a Navy League event, Admiral Caudle stated, "We cannot allow the Iranian-backed Houthis to control this strategic chokepoint." The increased Houthi attacks have forced many large container ships to reroute their journeys around Africa, avoiding the shorter but riskier route through the Suez Canal.
To counter this threat, the U.S. Navy is working closely with its allies, including France and the United Kingdom, who will soon be deploying naval forces to the region. Admiral Caudle acknowledged the need for flexible rules of engagement to allow the Navy to proactively deter Houthi attacks, rather than simply reacting to them.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on approximately 80 merchant vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.