Houthi Rebels Scale Back Red Sea Attacks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Sunday a significant reduction in their campaign against shipping in the Red Sea. The group will cease hostilities against “non-Israeli” vessels, marking a shift in their maritime strategy. This decision follows a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which included a successful prisoner exchange. The Houthis’ move is expected to impact shipping routes and maritime security in the region.
Details of the Ceasefire and Shipping Impact
The Houthi group’s “Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center” (HOCC) stated that it would lift its yearlong blockade on shipping in the Red Sea. This change comes after the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, which began with a prisoner exchange on Sunday. The exchange involved 90 Palestinian suspects traded for three Israeli hostages. The HOCC clarified that most categories of ships would no longer be targeted. This includes vessels bound for Israel, as well as American and British ships, and those partly owned by Israeli interests.
However, the Houthis will continue to attack vessels that are wholly Israeli-owned or flagged. These ships are currently prohibited from transiting key maritime routes, including the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The group warned that if U.S. and UK forces strike Yemen again, they could resume hostilities against commercial shipping, specifically targeting American and British vessels.
Houthi leader Malik Al-Houthi expressed that their naval operations have achieved a “decisive result” and a “real victory” with the ceasefire announcement. He also indicated that the group would be prepared to support Hezbollah if tensions escalate again in Gaza. Shipping industry experts, like Dimitris Maniatis, CEO of Marisks, noted that the Houthis’ capabilities have diminished due to recent airstrikes, leading them to seek a reason to declare a ceasefire. While some shipping interests are considering a return to the Red Sea route, major carriers remain cautious and are monitoring the situation closely.
Despite the assurances, there are concerns about the Houthis’ past behavior, as they have occasionally targeted vessels outside their stated criteria. The fate of the hijacked car carrier Galaxy Leader and its crew remains uncertain, as the vessel has been detained off northwestern Yemen for over a year. On the same day as the HOCC’s announcement, Houthi leaders claimed an eighth attempt to target the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, although U.S. Central Command has not commented on these claims.
