2023-12-25 02:55:00
The ongoing conflict between the Israeli army and Hamas has sparked concerns about the involvement of another armed group, the Houthi fighters, in the Red Sea. These Houthi militias have been targeting cargo ships traveling to or from Israel, resulting in disruptions to one of the world’s main trade routes.
The Red Sea serves as the primary east-west trade route, with access to the Suez Canal becoming increasingly dangerous due to the attacks by Houthi militants. This has led to fluctuations in crude oil prices in the foreign market and has prompted many ships to avoid this route altogether.
One specific area of attack for the Houthi fighters is the Babel-Mandab Strait, a narrow stretch of land on the southern side of the Red Sea. They have conducted rocket attacks and drone attacks on cargo ships passing through this area.
The Houthi organization made headlines on November 19th when they captured the cargo ship ‘Galaxy Lead’ in the Red Sea. Then on December 23rd, they launched a drone attack on two oil tankers flying the Norwegian and Indian national flags. Fortunately, no one was injured in these incidents. These attacks mark the 14th and 15th ships targeted by the Houthis since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthi fighters are primarily operating within a civil war against Yemen’s Sunni-majority government, and their actions in the Red Sea are seen as a response to their support of the authoritarian government in Yemen. The conflict is widely seen as a covert war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the Houthi militants receiving support from Iran.
The United States has launched an offshore maritime security operation in response to these attacks, with several other countries joining in the effort to protect ships in the Red Sea region. However, the Houthis have stated that they will continue their offensive in the Red Sea until the Israeli attack on Gaza ceases.
The situation in the Red Sea continues to be a cause for concern, as the attacks by Houthi militants have not only disrupted global trade but also led to escalations in the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The international community remains on high alert as efforts are made to protect ships in the region and address the underlying issues fueling the violence.
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