Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 2: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier to remain in the Middle East for an additional week. This extension comes as the US aims to keep two carrier strike groups in the region, intensifying operations against the Houthi rebels based in Yemen. According to a US official, the Truman and its strike group warships are set to return to Norfolk, Virginia, after the extended period.

The decision to keep the Truman in the region follows a similar extension made in late March. At that time, the deployment was extended for a month as part of a strategy to ramp up strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis. The latest order was signed by Hegseth on Thursday. Gen Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, had requested the extension, which follows the arrival of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and its strike group in the Gulf of Aden.

The US military has been increasing its offensive against the Houthis since mid-March, following a directive from then-President Donald Trump to launch an expanded campaign. The US has vowed to use ‘overwhelming lethal force’ in a bid to stop Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a vital global trade route. Since the launch of Operation Rough Rider, US forces have struck over 1,000 targets in Yemen, according to Central Command, though details about the targets remain classified.

Having two aircraft carriers in the Middle East is a rare occurrence. The US Navy has typically avoided such a deployment due to disruptions in maintenance schedules and the strain on sailors due to extended combat duties. However, with the Truman expected to return to Norfolk next week, sailors may finally have a break, with some possibly returning home by next month.

The current military focus in the region stems from the persistent missile and drone attacks by Houthi forces on commercial and military vessels. These attacks are part of the group’s broader efforts to disrupt shipping operations in the Red Sea, a critical corridor that handles over $1 trillion worth of goods annually. The Houthis had intensified their attacks from November 2023 to January 2024, sinking two merchant vessels and killing four sailors, which severely impacted trade flows.

The situation took a turn in mid-March when the US launched a broad assault against the rebels, breaking a self-imposed ceasefire the Houthis had observed. This move has significantly escalated the ongoing conflict in the region.