It is no wonder that tensions in the Red Sea have reached new heights in recent weeks. After observing a self-imposed ceasefire, the Houthi movement has returned to its pattern of hostility. So far, since the Gaza conflict opened in October 2023, the Houthis have attacked at least two shipping vessels in the Red Sea and fired missiles toward Israel. Now, they’ve doubled—and in some cases tripled—their efforts. They have recently conducted attacks on merchant shipping and oil tankers. These attacks have resulted in loss of life and raised alarming questions about regional maritime security.
To that end, the Houthis chose to extend their truce through at least mid-March of 2024. Retaliation for this started when the United States began a wide-ranging attack against them. Following the flare up, the Houthis resumed their assault. They have been documented diversions against indiscriminately over 100 merchant vessels employing missiles and kamikaze drones from November 2023 until January 2025. Most concerningly, during this time period, they have sunk two merchant vessels, killing four sailors.
The group argues that their actions are making an artistic statement in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Ever since, Hamas’ military wing has been launching barrages of missiles, and more recently, drones at Israel. Most of these attacks have been shot down or not made it to their targets. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have, apparently, been paying very special attention to these developments.
Houthi Attacks Intensify
In a dangerous and dramatic escalation of hostilities, the Houthis managed their first successful long-range strike on a commercial oil tanker transiting the Red Sea in 2024. This attack fits into a longer-term Iranian strategy to disrupt commercial shipping in the gulf. The IDF has since acknowledged that the Houthis fired two missiles from Yemen, adding to the already unstable situation even more.
In the past, the IDF has responded very strongly to these provocations. They launched airstrikes at key Houthi logistics targets such as ports in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif. For instance, a high-profile strike targeted the Ras Qantib power plant, allegedly aiding Houthi military power projection.
“The terrorist Houthi regime uses these ports to transfer combat equipment from the Iranian regime, which is used to advance terrorist plots against the State of Israel and its allies,” – IDF spokesperson
Maritime Security at Risk
The persistent hostilities have brought about alarming questions about maritime safety in one of the global busiest merchant routes. The Houthis’ belligerent harassment campaigns against merchant shipping have fostered an ecosystem of fear for commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea. The recent sinking of two commercial vessels in international waters is a troubling wakeup call to the threat these sometimes commonplace but devastating attacks present.
A ship transporting supplies and presenting no threat off the coast of Hodeidah was attacked. Its crew was forced to abandon ship as it started to sink. These kinds of incidents further exemplify the risks shipping companies are faced with in this region.
International stakeholders should watch what Houthis do as the situation develops. Undoubtedly, they will continue to monitor responses from Israeli military forces. The potential for further escalations remains high.
