Pratik Bijlani –
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, along with the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have claimed credit for a coordinated military assault targeting four vessels at Israel’s Haifa port. The action was apparently in response to an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, which killed at least 90 Palestinians and injured 300 others, according to Gaza Health Ministry reports.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, said that the group used ballistic missiles and drones to target the Israeli vessel MSC UNIFIC in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, the organisation conducted drone attacks on military sites in Eilat. These attacks are part of a larger campaign of drone and missile strikes by the Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which began in November. The Houthis claim that their strikes are a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering by Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The recent wave of Houthi attacks has caused considerable interruptions to international maritime channels. The organisation has sunk two ships, seized another, and claimed the lives of at least three sailors. These aggressive activities endanger maritime security and the safety of international ships on these critical waterways.
Separately, the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) stated that its forces had successfully destroyed three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. These UAVs were judged a direct threat to US and coalition forces, as well as merchant vessels operating in the area. The activities of the United States Central Command are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation while also improving the safety and security of international seas.
The Houthis and their Iranian-backed allies’ intensification of hostilities underlines the growing instability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These trends have substantial ramifications for maritime trade and international security, highlighting the need for increased attention and coordination among global maritime stakeholders to protect vital shipping lanes and maintain seafarers’ safety.
Marex Media