Undeterred Houthi attacks squeeze international trade
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Overhead imagery documented the Rubymar cargo ship before it sank. Photo: Maxar Technologies/satellite image
Drone and missile barrages launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen are holding hostage a vital commercial waterway, delaying humanitarian aid and imposing millions of dollars of extra costs.
Why it matters: U.S. and allied firepower has failed to stem the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden attacks, which are bolstered by an Iranian regime eager to arm its proxies.
By the numbers: The interests of more than 65 countries have been affected, and at least 29 major shipping and energy companies have rerouted away from the region, according to a new U.S. intelligence report.
- Container shipping through the Red Sea declined by roughly 90% as of mid-February. The passage typically accounts for 10-15% of international maritime trade.
- Insurance premiums for transits rose to 1% of a ship's total value in the same timeframe.
- Alternate routes around Africa tack on 11,000 nautical miles, up to two weeks of travel time and $1 million in fuel.
- More than a dozen commercial ships were struck between November and March. A handful of hijackings were also attempted.
Catch up quick: Houthi harassment of civilian and military vessels began late last year.
- The militant group initially said its attacks were in retaliation to Israel's war in Gaza. But many of its targets have no affiliation with the country.
- The Rubymar, a British-owned cargo ship, was sunk in March. It carried 21,000 metric tons of fertilizer that officials feared would spark an ecological disaster.
- The U.S. Navy has so far expended $1 billion in munitions as it contends with anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles and exploding drones in the area.
Bottom line: "While many attacks have missed or been intercepted, Houthi stockpiles appear nowhere near exhausted, even as sporadic U.S. and U.K. strikes against them continue," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.
- "This is as much a political problem as it is military."
