By Maggie Johnson
January 21, 2025
Image Credit: “America strikes 14 missile sites in Yemen after Houthis attack US owned...” available at Yahoo Images (01/21/2025).
Yemen’s Houthi movement has made a significant decision that could potentially impact the security of the region. They have announced their intention to target only vessels linked to Israel, provided the Gaza ceasefire agreement is fully implemented. The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), based in Sanaa and connected to the Houthi military, has issued a statement halting actions against ships owned by U.S. or British entities or flagged under their nations. However, they have also warned that these measures could be reinstated if Yemen faces aggression from the U.S., the U.K., or Israel.
This decision follows an agreement that included Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages and Israel freeing 90 Palestinian prisoners, marking the first steps of a ceasefire in a prolonged conflict. The Houthis clarified they would cease targeting Israeli-linked ships only if all phases of the ceasefire agreement are fully honored. This ceasefire agreement is significant as it represents a potential turning point in the conflict, with both sides making concessions in the interest of peace.
The ongoing Houthi threat has led major shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea and reroute vessels around southern Africa. Since November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have executed over 100 attacks, sinking two ships, seizing another, and causing the deaths of four seafarers. These attacks have not only disrupted the critical trade routes around the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, but also raised concerns about the future of these routes.
Despite the ceasefire, the shipping industry remains in a state of uncertainty. Jakob Larsen, a security officer with the shipping association BIMCO, noted that the Houthis have sometimes claimed attacks based on outdated information, which has slightly affected their credibility. The spokesperson for Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd shipping group stated they are monitoring the situation and will resume Red Sea operations only when safety is assured. This uncertainty underscores the gravity of the situation.
War risk insurance premiums remain a major concern. Shipping companies are waiting for test voyages to assess whether these costs, which can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a seven-day voyage, will decrease.
Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to hold the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader and its 25 crew members, seized in November 2023. The ship’s owner and manager reported severe hardships among the multinational crew, including cases of malaria and deteriorating mental health. The situation underscores the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges despite the recent ceasefire progress.
Commenti