The Houthi movement in Yemen has once again intensified threats against commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, warning of renewed missile and drone strikes. On February 13, 2025, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the group's leader, issued a statement declaring that if the United States and Israel proceed with plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, they will escalate attacks on international shipping.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted dozens of commercial vessels, citing support for Palestinian causes and opposition to Western military interventions in the Middle East. However, their indiscriminate attacks have jeopardized global trade routes, raising alarms among shipping companies, governments, and military alliances.
The Red Sea and the Suez Canal serve as critical arteries for international trade, accounting for nearly 12% of global maritime commerce. Houthi attacks have forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, causing:
- Extended transit times: Shipping companies are adding up to two weeks to delivery schedules.
- Higher operational costs: Fuel and insurance rates have surged as risks increase.
- Disruptions to supply chains: The movement of oil, LNG, food, and manufactured goods is experiencing costly delays.
Key Responses from the Shipping Industry:
- Maersk has halted operations in the Red Sea, citing serious safety concerns and predicting no return to normal operations until late 2025.
- CMA CGM and MSC have rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing costs and delivery times.
- The European Union has extended Operation ASPIDES, a naval security initiative to protect merchant shipping in the region.
In response to the crisis, the United States, United Kingdom, and allied nations have launched multiple air and naval strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. However, the Houthis have retaliated with further attacks, demonstrating their capability to disrupt Red Sea shipping routes.
- U.S. and U.K. joint operations between January and May 2024 have targeted Houthi missile sites, drone launchers, and naval assets.
- Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, has warned against Western intervention, raising fears of broader regional escalation.
- Saudi Arabia and Egypt have urged diplomatic solutions, but efforts to de-escalate the conflict have so far been unsuccessful.
The continued Houthi threats pose a serious challenge to global trade and regional stability. As long as the group has the capability to strike vessels, military forces, and energy infrastructure, shipping companies will hesitate to resume operations in the Red Sea.
Key Risks Moving Forward:
- Further escalation of attacks could lead to more military confrontations between the Houthis and Western forces.
- Supply chain instability will likely increase inflation as shipping costs remain high.
- Oil and LNG disruptions could impact global energy markets, especially in Europe and Asia.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can reduce hostilities or if the Red Sea remains a high-risk zone for global trade.
Comments