Barran Press
The United States announced on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, the deployment of F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, coinciding with the resumption of attacks by the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, on commercial ships.
The announcement came in a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on X (formerly Twitter), as reported by Barran Press.
The statement said, "US Air Force F-22 Raptors arrived in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility on August 8th."
CENTCOM explained that the reinforcement is "part of US force posture movements in the region and to address threats posed by Iran and its supported groups."
The Houthi group recently resumed maritime attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, two weeks after the Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah on July 20th, which caused devastating human and material losses to fuel storage facilities, the power plant, and other vital infrastructure.
On July 12th, CENTCOM reported the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt in the Red Sea, replacing the USS Eisenhower, as part of Washington's mission to protect navigation and weaken the Houthi group's ability to attack ships.
CENTCOM stated in a statement posted on X at the time, seen by "Barran Press", "The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group arrived in the US Fifth Fleet area of operations on July 12th."
The statement mentioned that the group arrived to "deter aggression, enhance regional stability, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region."
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier belonging to the US Navy, named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, according to the statement.
Since last November, the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, has been launching attacks with missiles and drones against commercial ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
The group's attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to favor the much longer route around the southern tip of the African continent.
To deter the Houthis, the US-led "Operation Sentinel," with major British participation, began airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in January 2024. The group expanded its operations to include ships linked to Washington and London, according to its announcement.