By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI, (Reuters) – The U.S. Navy announced Wednesday that they were establishing a multi-national task force to combat arms smuggling from the waters of Yemen. It is this latest American military reaction to Houthi terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia and Emirates.

This effort comes after a string of Houthi drone and missile attacks on two Gulf countries this year. The US has since provided additional military support but the United States sees it as reducing its commitment to the area.

U.S. Fifth Fleet Commandant Vice Admiral Brad Cooper stated that from Sunday the task force would operate in the Red Sea Bab al-Mandab Gulf of Aden. It would also target human trafficking, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Cooper stated that “these are strategically important waterways that deserve our attention” during a conference call with reporters.

Cooper commands the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces. Cooper is also in command of three task forces operating near waters that target smuggling or piracy.

Cooper answered questions about drones and missiles that the Houthi used to attack U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and UAE. Cooper stated that the Houthis would be unable to acquire such weaponsry because of the creation of the task force.

Cooper stated, “We’ll have the ability to do this more vibrantly as well as more quickly than we can do today.”

An American official spoke on condition of anonymity to say that the waterways between Somalia and Djibouti were known as “smuggling routes” for weapons bound for the Houthis.

Under anonymity, the official stated that “the international task force” will be addressing this problem.

Iran was long accused by the Houthis of selling weapons, which it strongly denies.

Following Houthi attacks in the Gulf, the United States offered Saudi Arabian and UAE military assistance. Diplomatic sources say that Gulf States are still not convinced by the United States’ commitment to the region.

This task force was launched amid a truce lasting two months in the almost seven-year Yemeni war, which has claimed the lives of tens and thousands of civilians and forced millions more.