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While the rate of attacks has slowed, uncertainty looms because the incoming US President Donald Trump could redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.
ADVERTISEMENTYemen’s Houthi rebels have said they will only attack Israeli-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea, the day after a ceasefire was declared in Gaza. The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre (HOOC), which liaises between the Houthis and commercial shipping operators, said the Yemeni group would lift “sanctions” against other ships. When all stages of the Gaza ceasefire have fully been implemented, the Houthis will also stop targeting Israeli vessels, according to an email sent by the HOOC on Sunday. The Houthis began attacking ships in the important maritime trade corridor in November 2023, angered by the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. Despite Sunday’s announcement, the Yemeni armed group threatened to resume assaults on US and UK ships, if these Western countries continue to launch airstrikes against them.“In the event of any aggression…the sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state,” the Houthis warned. Houthi attacks, which have halved traffic through the Red Sea, have deeply affected Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues, a key route linking Asia and Europe.Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the Yemeni group has targeted over 100 merchant vessels. The Houthis have captured one vessel and sank two others during these attacks, which have also resulted in the death of four sailors. The group asserts that it has just targeted vessels linked to Israel and its backers, which include the US and the UK. However, it has also struck ships with no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict, including some heading to Iran.Despite the Houthis’ announcement on Sunday, global shipping firms remain wary, as doubts linger about the durability of the ceasefire in Gaza. “The ceasefire is considered fragile,” said Jakob P. Larsen, head of maritime security for BIMCO, the world’s largest shipowners’ association.“It is assessed that even minor deviations from the ceasefire agreements could lead to hostilities, which would subsequently prompt the Houthis to again direct threats against a broader range of international shipping.”Geopolitical uncertaintyThe US and its partners have conducted more than 260 airstrikes against Houthi targets, potentially contributing to a recent slowdown in attacks at sea.The Houthis, however, have continued launching drones and missiles toward Israel, which has warned it will retaliate against the group’s leadership.ADVERTISEMENTAdding to the uncertainty is Monday’s inauguration of President Donald Trump, who may reinstate the foreign terrorist organisation designation on the Houthis. This designation, which was previously revoked by the outgoing US President Joe Biden, could reignite hostilities.“Uncertainty is further exacerbated by today’s inauguration of Trump,” Larsen noted.“It remains unclear how the Trump administration will act in the conflict with the Houthis and whether potential punitive actions against them will be considered.”ADVERTISEMENTAdditional sources • AP
