I wouldn’t advise this, considering the United States Navy has a history of dealing with pirates, rebels, or whatever disrupting shipping lanes.
The Yemeni Houthis, who have been attacking ships moving through the Red Sea almost seem to want a conflict with the Navy.
They recently released a video mocking the US Navy and seemingly encouraging a conflict.
Yemen tells America to bring it on. pic.twitter.com/85Otaasf3B
— روني الدنماركي (@Aldanmarki) December 19, 2023
The rebels seem to enjoy the attention they are getting, but they should remember the saying, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.”
The video reminds me of internet trolling until the person you are trolling shows up at your house, and that’s about to happen.
On December 19, 2023, defense Secretary Lloyd Austin appeared to have gotten the green light from the Biden administration to deal with the attacks that are causing shipping firms to pause cargo ships from entering the canal.
The attacks have damaged vessels and hit tankers that were traveling off the coast of Yemen.
“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”
From the Associated Press:
Under the new mission, the military ships will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, but will be positioned to provide umbrella protection to as many as possible at a given time, the official said on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public on how the new operation will work.
Since 1801, the US Navy has had a rich history of dealing with pirates and those that attack shipping lanes.
In August of 1801 the US Navy captured Tripolitan Admiral Rais Mahomet ship after Tripoli had declared war on the United States. It was known as the First Barbary War: The Tripolitan War.
Later, the Algerians sided with the British during the War of 1812 and blocked US ships from entering the Mediterranean. President Madison was granted a declaration of war against Algiers on March 3, 1815. The United States Navy decimated the Algerian fleet, and the country entered into peace talks in the summer of 1815.
By 1822, what was known as the Barbary States continued piracy, but they would not touch US ships. Despite attacks by the British, the piracy didn’t end until the French invaded Alergia in 1830.
More recently, in 2009, President Obama – after taking forever – finally gave the US Navy the green light to use force against Somali pirates attacking US ships. The standing order allowed Navy snipers aboard the USS Bainbridge to eliminate pirates who were holding Capt. Rishcar Phillips was taken hostage in a lifeboat launched from a shipping vessel they took captive.
So I’m not exactly sure it’s a good idea for the fighters in Yemen to poke the bear.
