Houthi Rebels To Target Merchant Ships Amid Gaza Tensions
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have pledged to escalate their attacks on merchant ships, significantly heightening the risks for vessels traveling through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal trade route.
The Iran-backed group recently announced that it would target ships associated with companies trading with Israel, irrespective of the company’s nationality. This declaration is framed as a response to the ongoing situation in Gaza.
It is understood that even vessels not directly calling at Israeli ports could be at risk if their operators provide services that involve Israeli stops on other routes.
Major global shipping companies, including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Yang Ming, and ONE, have been advised to exercise “extreme caution” as they now face an increased likelihood of being attacked.
This escalation follows a shift in strategy by the Houthis in late May, when they had previously declared a pause in their nearly 18-month-long campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Instead, they opted to block the port of Haifa.
However, in early July, the Houthis resumed their assaults, sinking two bulk carriers. On July 6, the Greek-owned Magic Seas was struck by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, sinking in the Red Sea.
The very next day, the Houthis targeted the Liberia-flagged MV Eternity C, which was transporting aid from Somalia. The attack, which involved sea drones and RPGs, caused significant damage to the vessel and resulted in the kidnapping of the 25-man crew.
Given these developments, the return of Asian services to the Red Sea route appears as distant as ever.
