Why Did the Houthis Attack Ships in the Red Sea?
The Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group based in Yemen, began attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in
October 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the
Israel-Gaza war. Their campaign has significantly disrupted global shipping, particularly through the
Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint. Below are the key motivations behind their attacks, supported by credible sources.
1. Opposition to Israel’s Military Actions in Gaza
The Houthis framed their attacks as retaliation against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, demanding an end to the war and a lifting of the blockade. They declared their intent to target ships linked to Israel, though many vessels attacked had no clear connection (
Crisis Group).
2. Expansion to US and UK Targets After Airstrikes
Initially focusing on Israeli-affiliated ships, the Houthis later broadened their attacks to include vessels associated with the
US and UK after these nations launched
airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen (
BBC News).
3. Economic Pressure on Israel and Its Allies
By disrupting shipping routes, the Houthis sought to
increase costs for Israel and Western nations, forcing major carriers to reroute around Africa, which raised fuel and shipping expenses (
The Guardian).
4. Strengthening Domestic and Regional Influence
The attacks served multiple political purposes:
- Consolidating power in Yemen by diverting attention from governance issues.
- Aligning with Iran’s "Axis of Resistance", which includes Hamas and Hezbollah (Foreign Affairs).
- Recruiting fighters by framing the conflict as a religious struggle against Western influence (Reuters).
5. Retaliation Against US-Led Military Operations
After
Operation Prosperity Guardian (Dec. 2023) and subsequent US-UK airstrikes, the Houthis intensified their assaults, vowing to continue until Israel ceased its Gaza offensive (
Al Jazeera).
Conclusion
The Houthis’ Red Sea campaign combines
ideological support for Hamas,
economic warfare against Israel and its allies, and
strategic positioning within Iran’s regional network. Despite international military responses, they have sustained attacks, underscoring their resilience and external backing.
Works Cited
- Al Jazeera. “Houthi Red Sea Attacks: What’s Happening and What’s at Stake?” 2024.
- BBC News. “Red Sea Crisis: How Houthi Attacks Are Disrupting Global Trade.” 2024.
- Crisis Group. “Calming the Red Sea’s Turbulent Waters.” 2024.
- Foreign Affairs. “The Houthis’ Dangerous Game in the Red Sea.” 2024.
- Reuters. “How Yemen’s Houthis Gain from Red Sea Attacks.” 2024.
- The Guardian. “Red Sea Shipping Crisis: What It Means for Global Trade.” 2024.