Pars Today- The continuation of Yemeni Army’s operations in the Red Sea and the US’ failure to effectively counter it proves the gradual decline of the country’s role as a naval power and its failure to safeguard its interests.
According to Pars Today, quoting from ISNA news agency, the American media “National Interest” wrote that the Yemeni Ansarullah, exercising maximum pressure on the US Navy and smart benefiting from its weakness, has managed to control one of the most vital waterways in the world. According to National Interest, despite the attacks of the US Navy and allies, the Yemeni Army continues its threats in the Red Sea and has blocked the strategic waterway for nearly two years. As a result, most of the ships have been forced to travel the long and costly course of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
During the modern age of marine warfare, the anti-ship missiles and drones have enabled Yemen’s Army to block the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
This impasse will bring about dangerous consequences for the US as a big global navy. The first lesson of these developments is the technological progress. Drones and missile systems on the ground can now hit warships hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away.
The attacks of Ansarullah in the Red Sea reveal the difficulties faced by the US Navy. This force, which is no more the biggest in the world and has been replaced by China, has not found an appropriate way to counter new threats, yet.
The aircraft-carriers and state-of-the-art and highly expensive frigates of the US Navy are not that fit for this kind of warfare and it may take years for them to cope with the new conditions.
Another important point is related to the excessive commitments of the US Navy. The US Fleet has been forced to dispatch 2 groups of aircraft-carriers to the Red Sea to protect the warships and trade ships against the attacks of Ansarullah. But, despite this pompous presence, the marine path remains blocked.
Simultaneously, other challenges including Chinese threats persist. While China has more than 400 warships, the American Pacific Ocean Fleet has nearly 200 warships.
The dilapidated industrial infrastructures of the US ship factories prevent the American Navy to reach China in terms of number of warships. However, the United States is committed to defend its allies, such as Philippines, Japan and South Korea and be prepared to defend Taiwan, too.
In addition, the US Navy has to be ready to confront Iran. too. Early this year, the US played a significant role in defending the Zionist regime against the retaliatory attacks of Iran with missiles and drones. The US helped the fake Zionist regime while it was in clash with the Yemeni Army in the Red Sea, too. With these circumstances, the permanent and extremely expensive presence of the American forces in the Red Sea, to counter the sporadic and repeated threats of Ansarullah, will not be a persistent strategy.
Understanding this reality, the Trump administration has just decided to escalate operations and enhanced the aerial power with bringing more B2 bombers for aggressive attacks on Yemen. Yet, it remains unclear if relying on mere air power can yield the definite result. Although more than $1 billion have been spent on aerial ammunitions during the past three weeks, the Yemeni Army continues its attacks in the Red Sea.
RM/ME
