The Yemeni Houthi movement has resumed attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, ending a brief period of relative calm that began in January following a Gaza ceasefire.

Since November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on commercial ships, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s war against Hamas.
Their previous attacks resulted in:

• The sinking of two ships
• The seizure of another vessel
• The deaths of at least four crew members

Disruptions forced global shipping companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa, increasing costs and transit times.

The escalation follows a Friday warning from the Houthi leader, demanding that Israel lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza within four days.

• On March 2, Israel blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
• In response, Hamas called on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene.
• The Houthis announced an immediate blockade of Israeli-linked ships, stating:

“This ban will remain in effect until the crossings to the Gaza Strip are reopened and humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, is allowed to enter.”

Amid the renewed attacks, the United States has reaffirmed its designation of the Houthis as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO).

The Trump administration re-implemented the designation in January to enforce stricter economic penalties on the Houthis due to their attacks on international shipping and US warships in the region.

The renewed Houthi offensive raises alarms over global trade security, as tensions between regional and international forces continue to escalate.

With vital shipping lanes under threat, the situation risks further destabilizing global supply chains and intensifying geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.