The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has dramatically escalated attacks on commercial and military vessels transiting the Red Sea over the past two months. Their expanding arsenal now includes explosives-laden drone boats and missiles, posing a severe threat to global shipping and underscoring the Iran-backed militia’s stubborn defiance of US warnings.
Timeline of Recent Attacks
The Houthis have carried out over two dozen maritime attacks in the Red Sea since November 2023, highlighting the growing risk to commercial shipping in the vital waterway.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | US Navy helicopters engaged in a firefight with Houthi assault teams attacking a cargo vessel, killing 11 militants. The US and allied forces also intercepted Houthi ballistic missile fire aimed at an oil tanker. |
| January 2, 2024 | The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a commercial vessel, stating it was retaliation for the December 31 incident. There were no casualties reported. |
| January 3, 2024 | A Houthi explosives-laden drone boat detonated near ships transiting the southern Red Sea. No damage was caused, but the unmanned attack craft was launched just hours after the US and allies warned the Houthis to halt assaults. |
| January 4, 2024 | Additional Houthi drone boats packed with explosives were intercepted by the US 5th Fleet before they could strike targets. The failed attack came a day after the coalition’s “final warning.” |
| January 5, 2024 | Global shipping giant Maersk announced it would avoid using the Red Sea route “until further notice” due to the escalating Houthi threat. Several other firms diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope instead. |
This sustained harassment of commercial and military ships has ratcheted up tensions and raised concerns over the security of global supply chains already strained by the war in Ukraine, pandemic disruptions, and other geopolitical unrest. Over 10% of world trade flows through the Red Sea bottleneck each year.
US and Allies Vow Defensive Action to Protect Shipping
The attacks crossed a “red line” for the US and its allies, prompting a military response to protect freedom of navigation through the Red Sea.
The US Navy said its guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze used surface-to-air missiles to shoot down an explosives-laden Houthi drone aircraft over international waters on January 4. US officials stated the unmanned aerial vehicle was launched from Houthi-held territory and was destined for the Red Sea shipping lanes when it was intercepted.
Earlier on December 31, US Navy Seahawk helicopters engaged Houthi gunmen attempting to board a commercial oil tanker transiting the southern Red Sea, killing 11 militants in a firefight. American and Saudi forces also cooperated to shoot down Houthi ballistic missiles targeting a vessel off the Saudi port city of Jizan the same day.
The US and its allies Britain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement on January 3 warning they would “respond decisively” to any further Houthi aggression in the Red Sea. Just hours later, the Houthis dispatched a booby-trapped drone boat which self-detonated in the vicinity of coalition warships. Additional unmanned explosives-packed vessels were intercepted on January 4 before they could strike.
The US military’s Central Command said its defensive actions delivered “a clear message that this irresponsible and unlawful use of unmanned aerial systems…threatens freedom of navigation and commerce in one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.”
Global Supply Chain Disruptions Feared
The Houthis’ expanding maritime strike capabilities and willingness to disrupt traffic through the Red Sea have raised alarms over potential global supply chain disruptions.
Shipping giant Maersk has halted use of the Red Sea shipping route until further notice, opting to send vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope despite significantly higher fuel costs and longer transit times. Shipping experts say each rerouted vessel could cost companies an additional $300,000-$400,000.
Other firms are following Maersk’s lead in avoiding the Red Sea passage. Germany’s Hapag Lloyd said it advised liners to steer clear of the area for the time being. Analysts say more shipping companies may sideline Red Sea routes if tensions remain high.
Retail groups warn supply chain woes could badly impact stores and consumers worldwide if the vital trade artery through the Red Sea remains threatened. “This could not come at a worse time,” said one retail expert, citing recent disruptions like COVID-19, the Ukraine war, and trucker strikes.
No Sign Houthis Will Back Down
Despite defeats and warnings from world powers, the Houthis show no indication they will abandon attacks in their quest to control Yemen and oppose Saudi-led enemies.
The Iran-backed militia said its expanded arsenal of drones and missiles can strike targets up to 1,500 miles away. This leaves much of the Middle East, including Israel and US bases, within range.
Analysts say the Houthis are encouraged by Iran, which provides the group weapons and technology while avoiding direct confrontation with adversaries like the US, Israel, and Gulf states. “The Houthis allow Iran to harass enemies remotely,” said one expert.
With staunch backing from Tehran, access to advanced weaponry, and unwavering ideological commitment, experts fear the Houthis will continue maritime harassment despite risks of triggering a wider regional conflict. The US Navy’s sinking of Houthi boats and downing of drones signal more decisive action may follow if aggression persists.
Outlook: Conflict Expansion Possible
The Houthis have proven undeterred by recent military setbacks and warnings, sending a defiant message they will continue attacking ships in proximity to Yemen’s coast. Their expanding capabilities raise the specter of strikes disrupting oil shipments and other traffic through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb strait into the Red Sea, which could severely impact global supply chains.
While the US and allies like Saudi Arabia hope targeted strikes against Houthi vessels will curb aggression, the militia seems unlikely to stand down given its history of resisting pressure. Continued defiance risks further escalation, leaves the vital Red Sea trade route in peril, and contributes to turmoil in an already volatile region.
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