Houthis Attack in Red Sea – A Complex Nexus Evolving between Houthis & Hamas

Context: This editorial is based on the news “Who are the Shia Houthis, and why are they aligned with the Sunni Palestinian Hamas?” which was published in Indian Express. Recently, the US and UK have struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to Houthis Attack in Red Sea on shipping of US & UK.. 

International Response to Houthis Attack in Red Sea: US and UK Strikes in the Red Sea

• A Direct Response: As per US President, the strikes were a direct response to the Houthis Attack in Red Sea “unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history”. 
• Faced Severe Impacts: More than 50 countries have been affected in 27 attacks, and crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy.

Houthis Attack in Red Sea and the Economic Toll on Global Trade Routes

• Concerns over Vessel Safety: After the Houthis Attack in Red Sea, several major shipping and oil companies have announced they were pausing movement on this East-West passage.
  • Around 12 percent of the world’s trade passes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal that connects the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean. 
• More Distance and Fuel Consumption: It has meant that some ships have had to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This route around the African continent takes much longer, and leads to higher costs of fuel.

Involvement of Houthis in the Israel-Hamas War:

• Houthis: These are a militant group that has been fighting the civil war in Yemen for a decade. 
• Occupy Power: They seized power in the Yemen capital Sana’a in 2014. 
  • The Houthis now control northern Yemen, including Sana’a, and have a presence in most regions of the country. 
• Support from Iran: The Houthis are Shia, and are backed with arms and finances by the Shia regime in Iran. 
  • Iran’s great regional rival, Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, along with Western allies like the US, backs the Yemen government.

Must Read: How Are Houthi Attacks On Ships In The Red Sea Affecting Global Economy?

Iran’s Strategic Alliances: Support for Hamas and Houthis in Anti-US and Anti-Israel Stances

• Mutual Opponents: Though Hamas is a Sunni organization, it is backed by Iran because of their mutual opposition to the US and Israel. 
• Existing Rivalries: The Houthis’ support for Palestine and the Yemen conflict are both, and also a manifestation of existing regional rivalries. 
  • The Iranian regime also backs and funds the Shia militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has been taking on the Israeli defense forces in the north of the country.

Controversies Surrounding US Actions, Houthi Strikes, and Interpretations by Iran and Hamas

• Reluctance to Use Region: Last month, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a coalition of more than 20 countries with a commitment to maritime security in the region. However, many partner countries were reluctant to send military ships or personnel in large numbers to the region. 
• Repeated Retaliations even after Warnings: The US has itself repeatedly warned of a spread of the conflict beyond the borders of Israel and Gaza, but the action against the Houthis suggests they are willing to risk the costs arising out of retaliation to repeated provocation.
• Challenging Interpretation: Iranian state media described the attacks as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and international laws, and Hamas called it an “act of terrorism”.

Paths to Peace: Saudi-Led Negotiations with Houthis for Resolving Yemen’s Civil War

• The Saudis have been negotiating with the Houthis for an end to the civil war in Yemen with the mediation of Oman and the United Nations.