In another day of escalating violence in the Red Sea region, a sideshow of the IsraelHamas war that has become of great strategic importance, Houthi rebels and the United States launched renewed attacks this Tuesday (16).
The rebels control part of Yemen in a civil war that has been ongoing since 2014 and, like their Hamas allies, are financed by Iran. This time their target was a Greek ship flying the Maltese flag.
He was hit by an antiship cruise missile 140 km from the Houthicontrolled port of Salif in his country. According to the Greek government, there was no significant damage or casualties. This was the 29th recorded attack in the region since November 19.
The ship, the bulk carrier MT Zografia, was en route to Israel from Vietnam. According to naval security firm Ambrey, there was grain inside, but later reports suggested it was empty. In any case, in this case, unlike other episodes, there is some connection with Israel the Houthis' justification for their actions.
The day before, the group said it would attack American military and civilian ships in the region, effectively declaring naval war on the world's largest power. This Tuesday they repeated the threat.
The US has avoided engaging in the rhetorical game even as the crisis continues to escalate. “We don’t want to expand this. The Houthis have a chance to do the right thing, which is to stop these irresponsible attacks,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.
He commented on the fact that also this Tuesday the US carried out the third airstrike on Houthi positions since Friday (12), when it carried out a major operation together with the United Kingdom and with the support of some allies.
According to the US Central Command, which covers the Middle East region, the target was four cruise missiles at their launch sites. Shiplaunched Tomahawk missiles were used in the attack.
The Houthis' fairly sophisticated missile arsenal comes from both old stocks the group seized from the local military and the Iranians, who supply the latest models. The civil war, which pitted Iran against Saudi Arabia, an ally of the recognized government, is in an unstable ceasefire.
The Tehran element is another reason for Washington to respond in a timely manner so as not to be forced to attack the country and trigger an even greater regional crisis. But the signs of friction are clear.
Also on Tuesday, the United States said it had seized a shipment of weapons from Iran last week that was intended for delivery to the Houthis. According to Central Command, the seizure took place on the 11th and was the first of its kind in the war.
The crisis has led to the closure of routes through the region, which accounts for 15% of global shipping trade. The most obvious impact is on freight prices, which can have a cascading effect on products in different production chains. At least two car factories in Europe have already stopped production due to delays in the delivery of parts.
The energy sector is particularly sensitive as it is the shortest route from the Persian Gulf to European markets. Qatar has stopped transiting its ships carrying liquefied natural gas and several oil companies have rerouted their ships for the longer journey around Africa.
Israel attacks the northern Gaza Strip
After announcing the end of main operations in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where Hamas has been based since 2007, Israel again sent tanks and soldiers to the region. There are reports of fighting, which was exacerbated by some civilians who had fled the area south and were now returning to escape the bombing, being caught in the crossfire.
On Monday (15), Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that even the most serious operations in the southern Gaza Strip would be reduced, which seems illusory in this context. The war, which began when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took nearly 250 hostages in Israel on October 7, has already claimed the lives of more than 24,000 Palestinians.