Situation in the Red Sea (Houthi Thread)

[Get2choppaaa]

This might have been the solution a year ago, but not anymore.
Over the last year Houthis have: exchanged blows with the US military and lived to tell the tale, shot down a dozen or so Reaper drones, gained control over who sails through one of the most important global trade routes, and scored billions in protection money. They went from being a minor nuisance, to a regional power broker. They won't give up on this even if we could end the war in Gaza today - they would just come up with another excuse.

We must destroy them. Period.

I'm biased because they shot missiles at me in the service.

But it still remains. They must be crushed. And Iran or anyone giving them weapons should be retaliated against also at the point of origin.

1 significant demonstration that is overwhelmingly robust will accomplish this.

Not saying nuke anyone. But a very very robust targeting package with the Navy's gloves untied would facilitate this.

We know where the weapons are coming from. Our intel has that mapped I'm sure

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

We must destroy them. Period.

I'm biased because they shot missiles at me in the service.

But it still remains. They must be crushed. And Iran or anyone giving them weapons should be retaliated against also at the point of origin.

1 significant demonstration that is overwhelmingly robust will accomplish this.

Not saying nuke anyone. But a very very robust targeting package with the Navy's gloves untied would facilitate this.

We know where the weapons are coming from. Our intel has that mapped I'm sure

If what Scott Ritter said about Iran locking on to our F-35's and causing them to turn back around in Israel's retaliation against Iran, then we are helpless.

This is what happens when you flood your country with third world people, then magically call them "equal" and your national IQ drops like a rock in water. Add in capitalism, causing our military equipment to become for-profit junk, and it is a recipe for disaster.

The only solution is a two-state solution and Israel bending the knee. But Israel will never accept that, so who knows what awaits us, but it isn't good. My guess, in 100 years this land is owned by China and the few non-Chinese here will be some sort of slave or servant, when all the dust settles.

 

[Thomas More]

If what Scott Ritter said about Iran locking on to our F-35's and causing them to turn back around in Israel's retaliation against Iran, then we are helpless.

This is what happens when you flood your country with third world people, then magically call them "equal" and your national IQ drops like a rock in water. Add in capitalism, causing our military equipment to become for-profit junk, and it is a recipe for disaster.

The only solution is a two-state solution and Israel bending the knee. But Israel will never accept that, so who knows what awaits us, but it isn't good. My guess, in 100 years this land is owned by China and the few non-Chinese here will be some sort of slave or servant, when all the dust settles.

The Houthi thing is no longer about Israel. If a two state solution is fully implemented in complete satisfaction of everything you think it ought to be, the Houthi's are not going close up shop and go home. They like being big shots and shooting at ships and getting protection money, and they're not going to stop just because their excuse for doing it ends.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

The Houthi thing is no longer about Israel. If a two state solution is fully implemented in complete satisfaction of everything you think it ought to be, the Houthi's are not going close up shop and go home. They like being big shots and shooting at ships and getting protection money, and they're not going to stop just because their excuse for doing it ends.

Maybe, I don't believe that to be true, but that might happen. Regardless, we gave Saudi Arabia a small fortune and all the dream weapons they could desire and the Houthi's beat them so badly they toss aside the disgraceful Abraham Accords and signed deals with Iran, guided by China's leadership.

I guess my point is, two things are true.

#1) The Iran axis in the Middle East is a lot stronger than anything we have faced since WW2, and our military is the weakest it has been since WW2.

#2) China is just going to keep blowing our doors off, while they support their people, family creation, and run a nation for their people, while we cut our own people off at the knees.

 

[Thomas More]

Maybe, I don't believe that to be true, but that might happen. Regardless, we gave Saudi Arabia a small fortune and all the dream weapons they could desire and the Houthi's beat them so badly they toss aside the disgraceful Abraham Accords and signed deals with Iran, guided by China's leadership.

I guess my point is, two things are true.

#1) The Iran axis in the Middle East is a lot stronger than anything we have faced since WW2, and our military is the weakest it has been since WW2.

#2) China is just going to keep blowing our doors off, while they support their people, family creation, and run a nation for their people, while we cut our own people off at the knees.

Right. The Houthi's have been fighting everyone for a long time. They fought against the Saudis, then they wanted to fight some more so they decided to claim they were just so loyal to the Palestinians that they were going to start attacking ships. What do they care about the Palestinians? Nothing. It's just an excuse because they want to be militants.

They are nowhere close to being tired of being militants. Look how well it's going for them! They're not gonna walk away from all this mayhem. It really has nothing to do to with Israel when you get down to it.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

Right. The Houthi's have been fighting everyone for a long time. They fought against the Saudis, then they wanted to fight some more so they decided to claim they were just so loyal to the Palestinians that they were going to start attacking ships. What do they care about the Palestinians? Nothing. It's just an excuse because they want to be militants.

They are nowhere close to being tired of being militants. Look how well it's going for them! They're not gonna walk away from all this mayhem. It really has nothing to do to with Israel when you get down to it.

This could be true, that after a two-state solution they are still willing to fight. I guess in the end, it doesn't matter, the USA is powerless to stop them. It would take a military draft and that wouldn't go over at all.

Israel was protected by the super advanced White Christian West. That no longer exists, and neither does the base of Israel's strength. As time moves forward, the west and Israel will only grow weaker until they are ripe for the picking.

 

[Cooper]

The Houthi thing is no longer about Israel. If a two state solution is fully implemented in complete satisfaction of everything you think it ought to be, the Houthi's are not going close up shop and go home. They like being big shots and shooting at ships and getting protection money, and they're not going to stop just because their excuse for doing it ends.

Yemen has a lot of natural resources, and they can leverage their strategic location through peaceful means, the same way for instance Djibouti and Dubai have.

Their leaders actually care about the Palestinians. the piracy business is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Cooper]

We must destroy them. Period.

I'm biased because they shot missiles at me in the service.

But it still remains. They must be crushed. And Iran or anyone giving them weapons should be retaliated against also at the point of origin.

1 significant demonstration that is overwhelmingly robust will accomplish this.

Not saying nuke anyone. But a very very robust targeting package with the Navy's gloves untied would facilitate this.

We know where the weapons are coming from. Our intel has that mapped I'm sure

With the current escalation in Ukraine, the Houthis are likely to get some potent packages from Russia, they would be able to strike any USN ships in the region or army bases in the KSA/GCC.

 

[Get2choppaaa]

Yemen has a lot of natural resources, and they can leverage their strategic location through peaceful means, the same way for instance Djibouti and Dubai have.

Their leaders actually care about the Palestinians. the piracy business is more trouble than it's worth.

Sure.

But the Houthi ability to interfere with global shipping MUST be destroyed, and their enablers punished as well.

That's what is likely going to happen and something I expect Trump to facilitate. We have the assets to do this. @It_Is_My_Time I'm not convinced at all that Iran dissuaded a capability of our military. It's more that the current regime is not giving them teeth nor focused on that front as they seem to be focused on the slush fund that is Ukraine.

Curious your take @LaAguilaNegra on first 100 days from practical point of view.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

Sure.

But the Houthi ability to interfere with global shipping MUST be destroyed, and their enablers punished as well.

That's what is likely going to happen and something I expect Trump to facilitate. We have the assets to do this. @It_Is_My_Time I'm not convinced at all that Iran dissuaded a capability of our military. It's more that the current regime is not giving them teeth nor focused on that front as they seem to be focused on the slush fund that is Ukraine.

Curious your take @LaAguilaNegra on first 100 days from practical point of view.

Scott Ritter has been right about most everything else involving the Israel situation and also the Ukraine-Russia war. And Iranian general admitted they had S-400's, another said they only had S-300's, but also developed something better than the S-400.

I guess we will find out. I know we have been bombing and hitting the Houthi's and yet they haven't slowed down in their attacks on the shipping lanes. If we can take out the Houthi's, then it will need to be done sooner than later. The more the cancer of third worldism and diversity strike the USA, the more Iran and its proxies can catch up to us.

 

[Get2choppaaa]

Scott Ritter has been right about most everything else involving the Israel situation and also the Ukraine-Russia war. And Iranian general admitted they had S-400's, another said they only had S-300's, but also developed something better than the S-400.

I guess we will find out. I know we have been bombing and hitting the Houthi's and yet they haven't slowed down in their attacks on the shipping lanes. If we can take out the Houthi's, then it will need to be done sooner than later. The more the cancer of third worldism and diversity strike the USA, the more Iran and its proxies can catch up to us.

Scott Ritter is a pedo and a creep. He's had elements of correctness, sure.... But I'd take a Mt. Rushmore grain of salt in my tea when he speaks.

He's also said that the Russian Ukraine thing would be over like 1 year ago. Ain't happened.

Again, i am very confident, from my lives experience.... That the issue isn't a tech capability but a rules of engagement and authority issue.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

Scott Ritter is a pedo and a creep. He's had elements of correctness, sure.... But I'd take a Mt. Rushmore grain of salt in my tea when he speaks.

He's also said that the Russian Ukraine thing would be over like 1 year ago. Ain't happened.

Again, i am very confident, from my lives experience.... That the issue isn't a tech capability but a rules of engagement and authority issue.

The fact we have already bombed them, repeatedly, and it has done little to nothing to deter them, then armed Saudi Arabia to the teeth only to have them lose, tells me they are a worthy opponent.

Meaning, it will take boots on the ground, and US support for that will be extremely low, even before the flag draped caskets start to return home.

 

[Get2choppaaa]

The fact we have already bombed them, repeatedly, and it has done little to nothing to deter them, then armed Saudi Arabia to the teeth only to have them lose, tells me they are a worthy opponent.

Meaning, it will take boots on the ground, and US support for that will be extremely low, even before the flag draped caskets start to return home.

We haven't really done Jack, nor shit in the bombings on a strategic level. It's been shows of force and not high degree of commitment.

No reason to assume it will take US troops on the ground. We will find UAE or another group to do the in person killing. Just enable with support and Intel.

That's actually a proxy war worth supporting, unlike Ukraine which is a pure money laundering scheme.

 

[TruckDriver9]

The fact we have already bombed them, repeatedly, and it has done little to nothing to deter them, then armed Saudi Arabia to the teeth only to have them lose, tells me they are a worthy opponent.

Meaning, it will take boots on the ground, and US support for that will be extremely low, even before the flag draped caskets start to return home.

We haven't really done Jack, nor shit in the bombings on a strategic level. It's been shows of force and not high degree of commitment.

No reason to assume it will take US troops on the ground. We will find UAE or another group to do the in person killing. Just enable with support and Intel.

That's actually a proxy war worth supporting, unlike Ukraine which is a pure money laundering scheme.

Our approach to the Houthi threat lacked consistency and detrmination, due to political constraints not a lack of force.
Here's from Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, commander of the Eisenhower CSG:

"There are definite strategies that were put forward, but our National Command Authority decided that those - I would call more aggressive postures and more aggressive strikes - was not something we wanted to challenge," Miguez said. "We all know Iranian-backed groups like the Houthis, where that threat's emanating from . . . And so that is the calculus that's handled at echelon zero, at the National Command Authority, with NSA, and everybody else. Those are things that I don't dabble in."
Going forward, Miguez suggested that diplomacy and economic pressure will be required to restore maritime security in the Red Sea, along with more aggressive military action. "This is a whole-of-government approach," he said. "I think that's what is going to result in freedom of navigation in that critical strait."

U.S. Carrier Held Back in Fight With Houthis to Avoid Angering Iran

The U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group Two was instructed to limit large-scale counterstrikes against Houthi rebels in order to avoid upsetting the...

maritime-executive.com

 

[TruckDriver9]

We know where the weapons are coming from. Our intel has that mapped I'm sure

It's not about where these weapons are coming from (everyone knows it's from Iran), but how they're delivered.
While, shipping weapons directly to Yemen aboard merchant vessels is the easiest and most efficient way, it's also the easiest for us to track and either interdict at sea, or destroy after delivery. So the Iranians developed other, indirect, delivery schemes. Weapons are still loaded as an extra cargo on civilian ships, but somewhere along the way they're unloaded on a fleet of smaller ships: dhows and fishing boats used by the locals, some of whom are professional smugglers, while others are just locals looking to make an extra buck. Then, that "swarm" of boats sails either to Yemen, or to make it even more difficult for us to track, to the African coast where the cargo goes on land and is delivered, bypassing the Bab al-Mandab and any maritime policing forces, to another smuggler fleet waiting on the Red Sea coast.
The anti-smuggling operations run by the Combined Maritime Forces under the 5th Fleet, don't have the resources to go after this kind of swarm logistics, nor the political backing to stop the Iranian cargo ships. If we really want to stop the flow of advanced weapons to Yemen, we would have to send the Navy to board Iranian ships as soon as they leave the Persian Gulf, before they have a chance to disperse their cargo. It would require political will to do so - because once we start boarding Iranian ships en masse, they will do the same to all American vessels sailing through the Persian Gulf, including the ones carrying DOD cargo which the Iranians would probably steal. And to stop something like that from happening we would have to embark Marines on American cargo ships - which could lead to further escalation: a firefight between an Iranian boarding party and a Marine security detail, with both sides calling for backup, could easily spiral out of control.

 

[Cooper]

We haven't really done Jack, nor shit in the bombings on a strategic level. It's been shows of force and not high degree of commitment.

No reason to assume it will take US troops on the ground. We will find UAE or another group to do the in person killing. Just enable with support and Intel.

That's actually a proxy war worth supporting, unlike Ukraine which is a pure money laundering scheme.

That calculus ended the moment the Houthis were able to drone Saudi refineries getting through Patriot batteries, and the Iranians launched their retaliatory salvo on the US base in Iraq. Up to then, the US and local proxies had been doing exactly what you want them to do now.

The Houthis are able to sink any USN ship in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and beyond.

As the old USN saying goes, "a ship's a fool to fight a fort", see also the Dardanelles 1915.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

Looks like the Houthi's struck again.

 

[Aldebaran]

This might have been the solution a year ago, but not anymore.
Over the last year Houthis have: exchanged blows with the US military and lived to tell the tale, shot down a dozen or so Reaper drones, gained control over who sails through one of the most important global trade routes, and scored billions in protection money. They went from being a minor nuisance, to a regional power broker. They won't give up on this even if we could end the war in Gaza today - they would just come up with another excuse.

Maybe they will, maybe they won't.

But before we try the hard solution, we try the easy solution.

We must destroy them. Period.

I'm biased because they shot missiles at me in the service.

Did they show up in your country to shoot missiles at you? Or did you show up in their country to shoot missiles at them?

 

[Get2choppaaa]

Maybe they will, maybe they won't.

But before we try the hard solution, we try the easy solution.



Did they show up in your country to shoot missiles at you? Or did you show up in their country to shoot missiles at them?

We were not in their country when they shot missiles at us homie. We were floating in the international waters.

And unfortunately due to end of Obama term he didn't want to retaliate so we didn't shoot any missiles back.

So your analogy that doesn't really work does it?

 

[Aldebaran]

We were not in their country when they shot missiles at us homie. We were floating in the international waters.

And unfortunately due to end of Obama term he didn't want to retaliate so we didn't shoot any missiles back.

So your analogy that doesn't really work does it?

Nearest international waters to Yemen is deep into the Indian ocean.

I doubt that Yemeni missiles would be a threat so far away.