Intel gap vexes US Navy's hunt for Houthi missile smuggling
Military officials admit the US Navy and its allies haven’t had much success interdicting the flow of advanced weapons components — warheads, computer guidance systems and the like — from Iran to the Houthis.
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In recent months, Yemen's Houthi rebels appear to have narrowed their desultory missile and drone barrages on commercial shipping in Red Sea shipping lanes in order to focus on targeting US-, UK- and Israeli-linked ships.
Pentagon officials this week were quick to take credit for a recent week-long lull in the Houthi attacks — the first since attacks began in November — citing repeated waves of unilateral US strikes and two rounds alongside the UK Royal Navy and Air Force.
"These strikes, from a physical standpoint, are having an impact on their ability to conduct attacks,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Tuesday.
