CENTCOM official notes US naval freedom of navigation in Red Sea

USS Laboon , shown here operating in June 2024 in the Red Sea, is one of the US Navy destroyers to defend the region against Houthi attacks. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

Following a recent protracted bombing campaign against Ansar Allah (commonly known as the Houthis) forces, the US Navy (USN) has maritime freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, deputy commander, United States Central Command (CENTCOM), told US senators.

“We have freedom of navigation today,” Vice Adm Cooper testified on 24 June during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing on his nomination to become CENTCOM commander.

Both USN and Houthi forces have been honouring a ceasefire, Vice Adm Cooper said, “We're 40 days into this. Houthis have not shot at us, and we have not shot at them.”

The ceasefire came after a special US-led operation to degrade Houthi capabilities, he said.

In his written responses to an SASC questionnaire about his nomination released during the hearing, Vice Adm Cooper wrote, “On 15 March 2025, in response to the hundreds of missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] fired at our forces, we began a large-scale operation against the Houthis – Operation ‘Rough Rider'. Alongside our international partners, the 52 days of kinetic attacks and imposing costs on the Houthis set conditions for a diplomatic solution to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and deterrence. The sustained, aggressive series of operations supported a whole-of-government effort designed to degrade Houthi leadership and capabilities, deny them the ability to impede merchant shipping, and ultimately compel them to cease their attacks. Our combined operations significantly degraded Houthi strike capabilities, command-and-control, and demonstrated US resolve to assure freedom of navigation through this strategically important maritime chokepoint.”