US warship sails via Africa to avoid Houthi attacks:Vessel likely to travel 1.5 times longer to reach Iran

The US huge aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, one of the world’s most powerful warships, is taking a much longer route instead of the usual direct path. The ship is travelling around the whole continent of Africa, covering about one and a half times more distance to reach waters near Iran. Reports say the Red Sea route is dangerous because of threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. To avoid that risk, the US supercarrier is taking the longer journey. According to a Forbes report, US aircraft carriers normally travel through the Red Sea by passing Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal. This time, however, the US Navy has not chosen that route. The carrier is travelling with three destroyers and around 6,000 sailors. Two US officials told AP that the strike group has left for a West Asia deployment. US scared of Yemen’s Houthi rebels It is unusual for such a powerful US warship to take such a long route. The Pentagon has not officially explained the reason, but signs suggest the ship is avoiding the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait by sailing around Africa. In recent years, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have made this area unsafe. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have previously launched drone and missile attacks on major sea routes such as the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Because of this, even the world’s strongest navy appears to be avoiding the area. During 2024 and 2025, Houthi attacks targeted American and commercial vessels. In recent months, they have also threatened to restart attacks, keeping the route unstable. US ships avoiding Bab-el-Mandeb Strait The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. It links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and about 20,000 ships pass through it each year. Around 10% of global trade, especially oil and gas supplies, moves through this route, making it highly important. The waterway is also geographically difficult. At its narrowest point, it is around 32 kilometres wide and split into two channels. The wider and deeper western route, the Dact-el-Mayun Channel, is about 16 miles wide and used by large ships. The narrower eastern route, Bab Iskander, is around two miles wide and used by smaller vessels. Earlier, the main dangers there were natural ones, such as rocks and strong winds. Now, the biggest threat is rising geopolitical tension. US warship heading to West Asia USS George H.W. Bush is America’s 10th and final Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier. The Nimitz class includes some of America’s largest and most powerful warships, powered by nuclear energy and carrying fighter jets. The ship has around 6,000 sailors and aircrew on board, with three destroyers escorting it. It left the US naval base in Norfolk at the end of March and was recently seen near the coast of Namibia. Reports say it is heading to West Asia, where it could join USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been operating in the region since February. Presence of another supercarrier Meanwhile, America’s newest and largest supercarrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is also deployed near the region. It recently left Split in Croatia and is carrying out operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it is not clear whether it will pass through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, as security threats remain. The ship had a fire incident in March, after which it was taken to Crete and then Split for repairs. It is now active again. ​