Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III recently spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about the brutal murder of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas, including 23-year-old U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Austin expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the slain hostages and condemned the vicious, illegal, and immoral execution by Hamas. He emphasized the need for Hamas leaders to be held accountable for the murders and reaffirmed the commitment of both defense leaders to swiftly reach a cease-fire deal to secure the release of any remaining hostages.
In a separate operation on Sunday, U.S. forces in the U.S. Central Command collaborated with Syrian Democratic Forces to capture Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS leader and facilitator who had helped ISIS fighters after escaping from a detention facility in Raqqa, Syria. This operation underscores Centcom’s ongoing efforts to support SDF partners in preventing future escapes by ISIS detainees from detention facilities in Syria and ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS. The successful capture of al-Dandal is a significant step in mitigating threats posed by ISIS in the region.
The day before, Iranian-backed Houthis launched attacks on two crude-oil tankers in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles and an unmanned aerial system. The vessels targeted were the motor vessel Blue Lagoon 1, owned by Panama and operated by Greece, and the motor vessel Amjad, owned, flagged, and operated by Saudi Arabia. These acts of terrorism by the Houthis have not only destabilized regional and global commerce but also endangered the lives of innocent civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems. Salvage efforts are currently underway for the disabled motor vessel Delta Sounion, which was attacked by Houthis in August and remains on fire, posing a potential environmental disaster in the southern Red Sea.
Despite the irresponsible and careless actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis, the U.S. remains committed to working with international partners and allies to protect maritime commerce and mitigate environmental impacts. These attacks highlight the ongoing challenges posed by terrorist groups in the region and the importance of continued cooperation among nations to address such threats. The U.S. government, under the leadership of Secretary Austin, will continue to prioritize the safety and security of civilians and work towards ensuring peace and stability in the region.
