Mint Explainer: Why Yemen’s Houthi rebels are a risk to global trade
Mint takes a look at the crisis and India’s stakes in it. Originating from northern Yemen, the Houthis have been embroiled in a decade-long civil war, gaining significant territorial control, including Sanaa, the capital. The Houthis are considered close to Iran and have maintained a hardline stance against Israel and the US.
The group was labeled a terrorist organization by the US. Since mid-November, the group has launched a series of attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandab. They have attacked an estimated 12 shipping vessels so far.
The Houthis have announced that the goal of this campaign is to punish Israel for its military strikes against Gaza, which have killed thousands of people. The group also undertook direct attacks on Israel by launching missiles towards the country. However, these efforts are understood to have had limited success, which may explain the new focus on disrupting shipping.
They say the attacks will continue till Israel ends its campaign in Gaza and allows humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians Experts suggest that the group wants to ride a wave of sympathy for Palestinians in the Middle East by taking on Israel. This has given them much popularity in the region. It also allows them to cut a striking contrast to many governments in the region, who are criticised by the general public for doing little to help the Palestinians.
The Houthis may hope to use this popularity to win legitimacy for their control over northern Yemen. The Houthi attacks on the Red Sea shipping routes threaten to disrupt the global economy. The route allows trade to pass through the Suez Canal.
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