The Red Sea has been dramatically disrupted by the Houthis’ attacks since October 2023, impacting regional stability and global trade. The Houthis aim to leverage these attacks to gain popularity through their pro-Palestinian stance and to further their political and economic objectives in Yemen. These attacks also fit with their broader goal to assert influence within the region and to align with Iran against the US and Israel. Despite a lull in hostilities following the Gaza ceasefire in January 2025, the Trump administration has intensified strikes on Houthi infrastructure and leadership since mid-March, aiming to ‘completely annihilate’ their capabilities and chain of command. The Houthis, meanwhile, have already vowed to respond to “escalation with escalation.” This shift in US paradigm, mirroring Israel’s targeted strike approach in the Middle East, aims to secure the Red Sea, but risks a broader escalation of violence in the region.
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Source image: © NASA (public domain)
