Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy

Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy

For the initial four weeks of the conflict, the Houthis maintained a posture of restraint, despite their alignment with and Iranian backing. Now, the movement that still controls the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other northern regions, has taken its first step by launching missiles toward Israel.

The Houthis claim they were targeting

“sensitive Israeli military sites”

in these attacks. While the group’s threat to Israel remains less severe than that of Iran, their past actions in support of Hamas have targeted vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the Red Sea’s southern end.

This maneuver has jeopardized a critical commercial maritime route. A repeat of such actions would deal another significant blow to the global economy. Combined with Iran’s near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, two of the world’s most vital trade and energy corridors could be disrupted.

Additionally, the Houthis may aim at energy and military installations in neighboring Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as they have done previously. When they executed similar strikes before, they faced intensive air assaults from the US and Israel, directed at their leadership and military capabilities.

Yet, the Houthis have demonstrated resilience, surviving these attacks. The key question now is the extent to which the movement is willing to escalate its involvement. Their past support for Hamas and Palestinians earned domestic and regional support. However, aligning with Iran might lead to different outcomes.

Moreover, Yemen’s recent calm following years of unrest could be disrupted if the Houthis increase their participation in the broader conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Any continued and intensified attacks would signal a new phase in the war’s expansion.