Houthi Resume Attacks on Commercial Ships off the Coast of Yemen

What Happened?

Houthi forces have resumed attacks on commercials shipping off the coast of Yemen. At least three people were reported killed in an attack on Monday on a Greek-owned ship in the Red Sea. The assault comes just a day after Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a similar assault on another ship in this crucial shipping lane.

The attack by the Houthi resulted in the first fatalities on a commercial ship in the Red Sea in over a year. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen issued a statement saying, ‘The United States condemns the reckless and brutal ongoing attack by the terrorist Houthi militia.’

Why it Matters

Nearly 12% of all commercial shipping passes by the coast of Yemen and through portions of the Red Sea, which makes the Houthi attacks a global threat to economic activity. Previously the Houthi had made a ceasefire deal with the United States, but that deal appears to be crumbling as the Houthi have resumed attacking commercial ships. 

The Israeli Air Force struck a number of targets in Yemen just a few days ago, and the recent attacks on commercial ships by the Houthi are likely retaliation for those strikes. Though none of the ships attacked so far this week were Israeli, the Houthi have also said they will attack ships they believe are heading for Israel to deliver goods. 

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With Israel already resuming airstrikes against the Houthi, a big question now is whether or not the U.S. military will also resume attacks on targets in Yemen. Both the Biden Administration and the Trump Administration carried out hundreds of airstrikes on the Houthi, though those operations were paused as a part of a cease fire deal earlier this year. If the Houthi continue to carry out attacks on commercial ships, it is likely the United States and Britain will resume attacks against the Houthi.

For the Houthi the attacks on commercial shipping are more than just a way to strike at Israel. The Houthi also engage in piracy in the Red Sea, so their motives are both political and monetary. With so much shipping passing just off the coast of Yemen, the opportunity for the Houthi to make money from piracy is substantial. 

For commercial ships, the new attacks mean they will either have to adopt additional security measures or travel alternative, longer routes, both of which can add time and expense to their journeys. 

How it Affects You

The resumption of hostilities between the Houthi and Israel indicate that the current conflict in the Middle East is not over. By forcing ships to take longer routes and pay more for maritime insurance, Houthi piracy can also lead to increases in the cost of goods for consumers around the world, including the United States.