Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, has been involved in a series of recent incidents in the Red Sea. The group, which emerged from the Saada Governorate of Yemen in the 1990s, is a Shia Islamist political and military organization predominantly made up of Zaidi Shias.
Recent Incidents in the Red Sea
According to a U.S. defense official, the AP news agency reported that on December 15, 2023, rebels in Yemen launched a ballistic missile towards the Liberian-flagged MSC Palatium III. The incident occurred in the Red Sea, close to the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, according to AP. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the assault. This incident follows a series of attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, leading to a near-total halt in ships reaching the Israeli port of Eilat.
The Houthis and Their Allies
The Houthis have threatened in the past to strike Israel in support of Tehran and its Mideast allies, including Hamas in the Palestinian territories and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The group now has perhaps the most sophisticated arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones among Iran’s regional allies and proxies. According to the IDF, over 70 drones and ballistic missiles have been launched by the Houthis towards Israel, despite the distance of over 1,000 miles between Yemen and Israel due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
International Response
The U.S. has warned the Houthis to stop their attacks in the Red Sea, which have created regional tensions and pose a growing threat to ships in the region’s main commercial shipping routes. The U.S. is considering designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization again following the recent attacks.
Deployment of a Special Task Force
The United States is expected to announce on Friday the deployment of a “special upgraded multinational task force” in the Red Sea to deter Yemen’s rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, from further attacks on ships, Axios reported, citing two Israeli and US officials. The task force would not escort ships in the Red Sea, but its presence would make it easier to respond to threats.
Messages to the Houthis
The Biden administration has reportedly sent messages to Houthi rebels through various channels, cautioning them to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea and against Israel. US officials have been cited as the source of this information, as reported by Axios. US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking has recently visited the Gulf and asked his Saudi Arabian, Omani, and Qatari counterparts to convey warning messages to the Houthis. Washington is highly concerned about rebels’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea, adding that several countries in the region gave similar messages to the movement and made clear that their attacks are “unacceptable”.
Future Plans
Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told a briefing on Thursday that information about the task force would be provided in the near future. The Houthis have earlier said that they would continue to prevent the passage of ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel until Israel’s military action in the Palestinian Gaza Strip ends.
Conclusion
The recent developments involving the Houthis and the Red Sea underscore the complex and volatile nature of the situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East. As the international community continues to monitor the situation, the hope is for a peaceful resolution that ensures the safety and security of all parties involved.
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