The battle for the Red Sea intensifies as the US launches strikes and the EU increases its efforts against the Houthis.

• U.S. military forces and allied nations attacked Houthi land targets over the weekend.
• Despite the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the rebel army remains undeterred and has resulted in an 18-mile long oil slick.
• The EU Aspides naval defense effort has led to the interception of aerial drones originating from Yemen by the European Commission.
• U.S. federal maritime officials urge more pressure on the Yemen government to stop attacks, according to CNBC.

The conflict over freedom of navigation in the Red Sea has intensified with the arrival of a European Commission naval defense initiative and increased U.S. and allied airstrikes against Houthi targets over the weekend, but despite these efforts, rebel attacks have not been deterred.

On Saturday evening, the USS Mason destroyed an antiship ballistic missile launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting the U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, MV Torm Thor. Despite the attack, neither ship was damaged and no injuries were reported. As of February 21, there have been at least 59 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to defense officials.

The EU's Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Aspides joined the French Navy operation and U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea to safeguard the freedom of navigation for ships. This is not the EU's first mission in protecting maritime trade, as it already patrols the waters off the Libyan Coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, and the Gulf. However, the EU stated that the Red Sea moves highlight the need for a stronger European presence in protecting ships from Houthi attacks.

Unlike the US and UK, which employ both defensive and offensive tactics to safeguard commercial ships and attack Houthi targets on land, the Aspides operation focuses solely on protecting vessels by intercepting Houthis drones and missiles. Unlike the EU's anti-piracy measures off Somalia, where small boats are used to gain entry onto a vessel, the Houthis employ a different tactic.

The European Commission naval operation is a complement to Operation Prosperity Guardian, as stated by Peter Stano, the lead spokesman for European Commission's foreign affairs and security policy, in a conversation with CNBC. The intelligence gathered by Aspides is being shared with both the French naval operation and OPG.

Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, has launched seven missions for the EU Commission and described the defensive operation as a quick and strong response to the Houthis' behavior of attacking commercial ships in the region.

The four frigates and one aerial asset will be deployed to safeguard all assets targeted by the Houthis, with flagged commercial vessels receiving protection.

According to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former policy director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under Sen. John McCain, if the EU mission is well integrated with U.S. forces already present, it would be a great thing. This interoperability can easily be provided through the use of NATO standard data links which are present on all these warships.

On Saturday, a coalition of forces, including the U.S. Central Command, UK Armed Forces, and support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, carried out strikes against 18 Houthi targets in areas of Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist groups. These strikes were separate and distinct from Operation Prosperity Guardian.

More countries are being urged by trade leaders to participate in the military effort in the Red Sea.

The Red Sea attacks have had a significant impact on global commerce, as disruption in the Red Sea/Suez Canal triggers a logistical butterfly effect that is affecting countries worldwide. Steven Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, emphasized the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to stop and prevent attacks on seafarers, their cargo, and their equipment. He urged every country to align with these efforts to maintain a safe and secure maritime environment.

The Red Sea crisis is marked by a conflict of misinformation, with the Houthis frequently making false claims and using old, irrelevant videos to support their narrative.

The Houthis claimed to have sunk the M/V Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier, using video. However, the ship did not sink, but the crew abandoned it after it started taking on water. On Friday, U.S. Central Command released satellite photos showing significant damage to the vessel, which had already caused an 18-mile oil slick.

The M/V Rubymar was carrying over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was attacked, which could worsen the environmental disaster if it spilled into the Red Sea.

The EU and the Houthi rebels had constructive talks last week, according to Hussein al Azzi, a foreign ministry official from the rebel army. However, Stano denied any discussions between the EU and the Iran-backed terrorist group.

The EU's outreach regarding the naval mission Aspides by Houthis is not accurate, as the EU denies coordinating with the Houthis for safe passage of commercial ships through the Red Sea and consistently condemns Houthi attacks.

Stano stated that the attacks are a violation of international law, endangering maritime security, navigational rights, and global trade, and putting the safety of sea crews in jeopardy.

The Houthis are causing significant and unacceptable damage to trade, countries, and people in the region, as stated by him. He emphasized that they need to stop immediately, as per the UNSC Resolution 2722 adopted on January 10. This message has been consistently delivered to the Houthis.

The European Commission has only communicated with the Irian-backed Houthis through open communication with the countries in the region and the Houthis regarding the Aspides operation.

Stano stated that the EU has been conducting an extensive diplomatic outreach to inform partners and relevant stakeholders about the mandate and objective of the new EU maritime operation Aspides, specifically emphasizing its defensive nature and protection of freedom of navigation.

Borrell informed Yemeni Prime Minister Bin Mubarak about the plans to launch a new EU maritime operation in the Red Sea and its mandate on February 2 in Brussels. The two also briefly discussed the situation in Yemen and longstanding EU support to the Presidential Leadership Council, Yemeni Government, and to the UN led peace efforts.

The EU's representative in Yemen maintains regular communication with all Yemeni leaders, including the Houthi leadership, while the EU reaffirms its commitment to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and its support for President Rashad Al Alimi and the Presidential Leadership Council.

An investigation into Yemen's failure to protect the Law of the Sea is being proposed by Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Carl Bentzel. He stated that discussions are ongoing to determine how to proceed with the investigation.

The Foreign Shipping Act grants the federal government the authority to investigate foreign governments' practices and assess their effects on international maritime commerce.

The longer the unfavorable conditions persist, the greater the economic impact on foreign commerce," Bentzel stated. "An investigation is necessary to determine if the actions originating in Yemen are responsible for these adverse conditions.

If the Commission approves and the investigation continues, the State Department may aid the FMC.

The Suez Canal diversions could result in Egypt losing up to $5 billion in revenue this year, while the Tesla factory in Germany was forced to shut down for a month. According to Bentzel, U.S.-flagged vessels have been attacked, and Yemen has failed to secure innocent passage of their territorial waters or straits. If terrorists were shooting rockets at a truck carrying retail goods because they were doing business in Israel, there would be outrage. However, Bentzel does not sense the same concern for maritime workers.