Yemen’s Houthi group has broadcast an alarming escalation in their maritime strategy, openly threatening to expand their operational reach and target vessels in the Red Sea and even as far as the Mediterranean Sea if Israel proceeds with military action in Rafah, Gaza. This declaration is a significant potential shift in regional security dynamics, raising the specter of a broader maritime conflict that could imperil one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.
The Iranian-aligned Houthis have a history of maritime attacks, using drones and missiles with a range that was previously thought to be limited to the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. However, recent statements by the group’s military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e, indicate an intention to enforce “comprehensive sanctions on all ships and companies that are related to supplying and entering the occupied Palestinian ports of any nationality,” an action which could effectively disrupt maritime traffic through this pivotal region.
According to the US Department of Defense, the Houthis’ activities continue to endanger commercial shipping and risk escalating tension in an already volatile area. Despite targeted US and UK strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities, the group maintains the ability to threaten shipping, with attacks on vessels linked to Israel, the US, and the UK. Recent reports confirm the group has targeted multinational ships.
In a statement on social media, Sare’e conveyed a dire warning: “If the Israeli enemy intends to launch an aggressive military operation against Rafah, the Yemeni Armed forces will impose comprehensive sanctions on all ships and companies that are related to supplying and entering the occupied Palestinian ports of any nationality and will prevent all ships of these companies from passing through the armed forces’ operation zone regardless of their destination.”
The Houthis’ latest threats are not isolated to the Red Sea. They have articulated plans to extend their assaults to the Mediterranean Sea, including any ships heading to Israel from that direction. “In a sense, by rhetorically expanding the threat, the Houthis are trying to catch up to the regional reality they have created,” suggested Ben Taleblu,an expert at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Shipping and intelligence experts, such as Ambrey, have assessed the capability of Houthi Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to target merchant shipping in the East Mediterranean Sea. Although there is a higher chance of interception by US coalition forces and Israeli and Egyptian air defenses, the threat cannot be dismissed as the Houthis have demonstrated continuous efforts to extend their operational reach.
Furthermore, the Houthis have claimed the possession of anti-ship ballistic missiles and other weaponry which might be used to harass shipping in the region. This arsenal includes Iranian Shahed-136 drones that can allegedly travel up to 2,000 km and ballistic missiles with a range of 1,600 to 1,900 km.
The international community is grappling with this new threat to peace and stability in the Middle East. The potential disruption to global shipping routes, which could force vessels to bypass the Suez Canal and take lengthier, costlier paths around Africa, underscores the serious economic implications of the Houthis’ campaign. In light of these developments, vessels bound for Israeli ports have been advised to withhold AIS destination information and engage intelligence and security services to aid with voyage planning and crisis management.
Relevant articles:
– Houthis Threaten to Expand Range of Targets in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, USNI, 05/07/2024
– Houthi Threaten To Target Israel-Bound Ships In Any Area Within Their Range, Marine Insight, 05/06/2024
– Houthis Threaten to Attack Ships in Mediterranean Sea, SupplyChainBrain, 05/06/2024
– Houthis threaten to target Israel-bound ships in the Mediterranean, The Times of Israel, 05/03/2024
– Houthi weapons have range for East Med Sea attack threat, Seatrade Maritime News, 05/06/2024