Understanding Yemen’s Houthi Rebels: Analyzing the Global Ramifications of Red Sea Attacks

A German-owned ship traveling through the Red Sea was hit by a projectile launched from the Houthi rebel controlled area of Yemen on December 15, resulting in a fire. This attack is part of a series of recent incidents by the Houthis, which have increased since the Israel-Hamas war. The militant group has declared its intention to target all ships stopping at Israeli ports. As a result, some ships, including two Danish vessels owned by Maersk, have chosen to take longer alternative routes across Southern Africa to avoid the violence.

The Houthi rebels initially emerged as a revivalist movement for the Zaydi branch of Islam in the 1990s, known as the Believing Youth. Many Zaydi Muslims, who make up about 35% of Yemen’s population, felt that the growing influence of Saudi-influenced Salafi Islam was threatening their cultural heritage and rights. In 2004, the group evolved and became known as the Houthis after their leader Hussein al-Houthi was killed. They started launching insurgencies against Yemen’s government around the same time.

The grievances of the Houthis against the government overlapped with other sectors of Yemeni society, particularly regarding government corruption and mismanagement. However, they had specific concerns about the cultural rights of Zaydi Muslims. In 2011, mass protests erupted due to poor economic conditions and corruption, leading to the ousting of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been in power for 34 years. The international community attempted to establish a transitional government for Yemen that excluded the Houthis, prompting them to forcefully enter the capital to demand inclusion. The conflict escalated in 2015 when Houthi rebels aligned with former President Saleh against the internationally-backed government.

The war against the Houthis has been spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, which has led the rebels to align more closely with Iran. However, experts argue that the Houthis are not a direct proxy of Iranian interests, as they pursue their own locally defined objectives. Supporting the Palestinian cause is a popular stance in Yemen, and the Houthis use this to gain popularity among Yemenis who don’t necessarily support their domestic political project.

The economic impact of the attacks on ships is significant. Over 80% of global trade relies on sea transport, with the annual shipping trade valued at over $14 trillion, accounting for 16% of global GDP. Sea transport is cost-effective compared to air transport, and the shipping industry plays a vital role in delivering various imported products, including clothing, cars, oil, and gas. The Red Sea connects to the Suez Canal, which provides a crucial water route for ships traveling between Asia and Europe without circumnavigating Africa. However, the violence in the region has led some ships to consider alternative routes, which can be more expensive and time-consuming.

The Houthis have explicitly stated that they are targeting ships they believe are heading to Israeli ports, particularly Ashdod and Haifa. The attacks have prompted the removal of published lists of ships expected to arrive at these ports. Ships with planned stops in Israel are at a higher risk, but there is also a possibility that vessels without such stops could be targeted. The United States is working to build a coalition with partner nations to protect global shipping in the region, but it may take some time before an effective plan is implemented. In the meantime, ships remain vulnerable to attacks.