**Breaking News: Houthis Launch New Offensive in Red Sea as U.S. Navy Stands Down**

In a shocking escalation, the Houthi rebels have launched a fierce new offensive in the Red Sea, leaving two commercial vessels sunk and crew members missing. This surge in attacks comes just days after the U.S. Navy withdrew its carrier group, raising urgent questions about maritime security and global trade stability.

In a span of less than a week, the Houthis targeted the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, Eternity Sea, using explosive drones and missiles, resulting in the deaths of four crew members, with eleven still unaccounted for. This follows a similar assault on the Magic Seas, which sank without fatalities. The attacks have sparked outrage and alarm as they threaten one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, the Bab el Mandeb Strait, through which 15% of global trade flows.

With the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower—an aircraft carrier and the centerpiece of U.S. naval operations—now redeployed, the absence of a robust naval presence has left a dangerous vacuum. Critics warn that the Houthis, emboldened by the U.S. withdrawal, are sending a stark message: they control the Red Sea. The implications are dire. If this vital waterway remains compromised, global oil prices could soar, supply chains could fracture, and naval tensions could escalate dramatically.

The Houthis have justified their assaults by claiming links to Israel, framing their actions as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This new wave of aggression is not just a regional issue; it poses a significant threat to international maritime security and could spiral into a broader confrontation.

As the world watches, the U.S. faces a critical decision: will it return to the Red Sea to restore security, or will it risk further escalation in a region already fraught with tension? The stakes could not be higher, and the next moves will shape the future of maritime power and global trade. Time is running out—this crisis is unfolding now.