Carrier USS George H.W. Bush takes Africa long-route to avoid Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab

WASHINGTON, April 14 (YPA) – The United States Naval Institute reported that the US aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is currently sailing off the coast of Namibia as it navigates around the African continent en route to join US naval forces in the Arabian Sea.

According to the report, the carrier did not pass through the Strait of Gibraltar toward the Mediterranean Sea, which is the conventional route for carriers based on the US East Coast heading to West Asia.

Instead, the vessel is taking a longer route around Africa, a move that allows it and its accompanying ships to avoid transiting through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The alternative route comes amid ongoing attacks by Sanaa forces using drones and missiles targeting US and commercial vessels in those waterways over the past two years.

In previous remarks, Brig. Gen. Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, stated that US President Donald Trump should fire commander of the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Qaani added that after weeks of hesitation, the carrier “withdrew” from the Red Sea region, stressing that “the fate of all American forces is to flee the region.”

@E.Y.M