Kurilla’s letter reportedly shocked some defense department members, particularly his warning that “U.S. service members will die if we continue going this way.”
The Pentagon declined to comment further on the issue when contacted by Fox News Digital.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, which began following Israel’s invasion of Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7. The Houthis claim their attacks target vessels linked to Israel, but their strikes have affected ships from multiple countries, leading to significant disruptions and danger to crew members.
The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Sean Savett defended the administration’s approach, stating that the U.S. has employed a “whole-of-government approach” to address the situation. This includes sanctions, designating the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist organization, and disrupting their supply lines. “We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks,” Savett said.
