DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Houthi rebels of Yemen announced on Monday that they will now restrict their attacks in the Red Sea region to ships associated with Israel, following a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. However, they cautioned that these attacks could resume if deemed necessary.
This declaration, conveyed in an email to shipping companies and other entities over the weekend, is unlikely to reassure global shipping firms about returning to this critical corridor vital for cargo and energy transport between Asia and Europe. The Houthis’ military actions have significantly reduced shipping traffic through the area, severely impacting Egypt’s revenue that benefits from the Suez Canal, linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.
Jakob P. Larsen, head of maritime security for BIMCO, the largest international association of shipowners, expressed concerns, stating that the ceasefire is precarious. He noted that even minor breaches of the ceasefire might rekindle hostilities, leading the Houthis to extend their threats to a wider spectrum of international maritime operations.
This sentiment was echoed in a recent address by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the mysterious leader of the Houthis. He remarked on their preparedness to swiftly intervene if Israel was to escalate military actions, alleging acts of genocide, impose a blockade on Gaza, or withhold essential supplies from its residents. He affirmed their commitment to escalate their activities alongside Palestinian fighters if required.
The Houthis are also expected to release a military communique regarding their recent decisions. Their initial communication came from their Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, which indicated a suspension of “sanctions” against previously targeted vessels since November 2023. For Israeli ships, these “sanctions” would be fully ceased only after the entire cessation plan is properly implemented.
However, the announcement left open the possibility of resuming strikes against the United States and the United Kingdom, both of which have conducted airstrikes against the Houthis in response to their maritime assaults. The center warned that “in the event of any aggression… sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state,” assuring that shippers would be promptly informed should such measures be adopted.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted more than 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones following Hamas’ unprecedented assault on Israel, which resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals. Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local authorities, who report that a significant portion of these casualties are women and children, though they do not specify between combatants and civilians.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have successfully seized one vessel and sunk two, with their operations resulting in the deaths of four sailors. Some of their missiles and drones have been intercepted by coalitions led by the U.S. and European forces in the Red Sea, preventing them from reaching some of their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.
The Houthis have insisted that their attacks are aimed at vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., intending to compel an end to Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza. Nevertheless, many of the ships targeted had little to no connection to the conflict, including those en route to Iran. In recent weeks, the frequency of Houthi attacks has diminished, especially against vessels at sea, which may be attributed to the extensive U.S. airstrikes—over 260, as reported by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Despite this reduction, the Houthis have persisted in their drone and missile attacks against Israel, which has signaled its intent to continue targeting Houthi leadership. The situation could also be complicated by political changes, particularly with the recent inauguration of President Donald Trump. Speculation arises regarding whether he may reinstate the foreign terrorist organization designation that had been removed by President Joe Biden, potentially escalating tensions anew.
Larsen noted that the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s administration could further complicate the situation, emphasizing that it remains unclear how his government might engage with the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis and any potential punitive measures against them.
