Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Assert Responsibility for Red Sea Assault Amid Rising Shipping Costs

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken responsibility for the recent assault on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea. This attack comes amidst a series of over 20 similar incidents against merchant ships in recent weeks, attributed to the Houthi group. The targeted ship, flying under the Malta flag, was reportedly en route to what the Houthis believed was Palestinian occupied territory, although it was not hit in the attack.

The Houthi movement, which has held control over large parts of Yemen since 2014 and is engaged in an ongoing civil war, stated their actions are in support of Palestinians amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

The Houthi announcement, declaring the targeting of the CMA CGM TAGE heading towards “occupied Palestine,” was released on a platform formerly known as Twitter.

These recurrent attacks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical juncture in the Red Sea, are causing significant disruptions in a key global trade route that handles about 12% of the world’s trade.

In response to the growing instability, CMA CGM, a French shipping company, has substantially raised its shipping rates. The cost for a 40-foot container traveling from Asia to the western Mediterranean has escalated from $3,000 to $6,000.

Similarly, MSC, an Italian-Swiss shipping firm, has increased its fees, opting to reroute ships around southern Africa instead of passing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

Maersk, a Danish shipping leader, has also suspended services in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, indefinitely.

The U.S. military reported that the Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at merchant vessels near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, although no damage was reported by nearby ships.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations, managed by the Royal Navy, confirmed the safety of the crew and the absence of damage to the vessel involved in the latest incident.

The U.S. Central Command highlighted that this marks the 24th attack since November 19 against commercial shipping in this area, jeopardizing innocent lives and hampering international trade.

The Houthi group has issued warnings against ships in the Red Sea with connections to Israel. In response, the U.S. along with French and British naval forces have intercepted several Houthi missiles and drones.

To counter these threats, the U.S. has established a multinational naval task force aimed at safeguarding shipping in the Red Sea. Following recent attacks, including one on a Maersk container ship, the U.S. military engaged and destroyed three Houthi boats, resulting in the death of ten Houthi fighters.