NEWS
🚨 YEMEN HAS BEGUN ATTACKS IN THE RED SEA
Renewed Houthi Offensive Begins
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have signalled a major escalation in hostilities by announcing they will resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea and against Israel, according to senior Houthi officials. The group, which previously paused its operations following a deal linked to a U.S. diplomatic initiative and a Gaza ceasefire, indicated the first assaults could occur imminently. The decision marks a return to aggressive maritime operations after months of relative quiet. �
2️⃣ Background of Houthi Military Strategy
The Houthis originally launched their long-distance attacks in late 2023, linking them to the broader Middle Eastern crisis and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Their campaign targeted vessels in one of the world’s busiest commercial corridors, the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, arguing their actions supported Palestinians and opposed Israeli military operations. Over the past two years, they have fired missiles, drones and other weapons at commercial ships, some of which were linked to Western or Israeli interests. �
Anadolu Ajansı
3️⃣ Impact on Maritime Trade and International Response
Houthi assaults on ships in the Red Sea have prompted global concern. The campaign disrupted shipping traffic, forcing many vessel operators to reroute around Africa, increasing costs and transit times for goods and energy supplies. International bodies and governments have repeatedly condemned these attacks as threats to freedom of navigation and global commerce, with the United Nations urging restraint and respect for international law. �
The Tribune
4️⃣ Regional and Global Tensions
The renewed threat comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions. Previous Houthi actions have drawn significant military responses, especially from the United States and allied forces, which have conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen’s western provinces to deter threats to commercial and military vessels. U.S. strikes on key oil terminals and missile launch sites have been part of a broader effort to curb the group’s capabilities. �
Wikipedia
5️⃣ Security Risks and Escalation Fears
Security analysts warn that the resurgence of Houthi attacks could escalate conflict in an already volatile region. The Red Sea is crucial for global trade, with about 10 % of the world’s maritime commerce passing through it. Renewed assaults could draw in larger naval deployments by international coalitions and heighten the risk of accidental clashes between state and non-state actors operating in the corridor. �
Yemen Online |
6️⃣ Broader Conflict Context
The Houthi group’s actions are part of a broaderised Middle Eastern crisis that spans Yemen’s internal civil war and the spillover effects of wars elsewhere, including Gaza. While ceasefires and diplomatic late-stage negotiations have temporarily reduced hostilities in the past, the determination by Houthi leadership to resume operations underscores persistent instability and the fragility of regional peace efforts. �
