Trump Faces Houthi Threat In Red Sea As Gaza Ceasefire Fragile
The Iran-backed Houthis, who have attacked ships in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, have said they will stop their attacks during the Gaza ceasefire, but only if it lasts.
Last year, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on nearly 200 commercial ships, damaging 40 ships, sinking two, and killing four crew members.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and is a key sea route between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
About 12% of global trade passes through this route, which is the lifeblood of global trade.
The economy has been severely affected. Shipping disruptions have cost the global economy about $200 billion, and traffic through the Suez Canal has fallen by about two-thirds.
Egypt alone has lost $7 billion in revenue. Rising costs have forced many ships to detour around Africa, costing up to $1 million per voyage, according to U.S. intelligence estimates.
Some shipping companies have reportedly paid the Houthis hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure “safe passage,” and the group is estimated to earn up to $2 billion a year from these deals.
The militias deny benefiting from such agreements.
Britain and the United States have deployed warships to protect the waterway.
Royal Navy destroyers HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond successfully intercepted Houthi drones during recent missions in the Red Sea.
Despite these efforts, militia leader Abdulmalik Houthi has warned that they will resume attacks if the Gaza ceasefire breaks down or Israel continues its military activities, something experts say is unlikely.
The current U.S. Navy policing mission in the Red Sea has cost Washington $5 billion.
However, since the Houthis do not pose a significant threat to direct U.S. trade, there are questions about whether President Trump will maintain the current engagement.
The role of China complicates the issue. Beijing has refused to impose sanctions on the Houthis, despite their reliance on Chinese companies for missile and drone technology.
With prospects for a ceasefire uncertain and reports of the Houthis charging exorbitant fees for “safe passage”, security risks in the Red Sea show no signs of abating.
