Global Alliance condemns Yemeni rebel strikes over Red Sea

New Delhi, Jan 4: A coalition of twelve nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, has issued a stern warning to Yemeni rebels, cautioning them of repercussions should they persist in assaulting commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

In their joint declaration, these predominantly Western countries have demanded an immediate cessation of these hostile acts.

The group labelled these attacks as "illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," asserting that there is no lawful basis for deliberately targeting civilian and naval vessels.

The statement suggests that an armed response to these attacks could entail targeted strikes against Houthi bases, boats, and weaponry. Warships from the United States, United Kingdom, and France, currently stationed in the Red Sea, possess the capabilities to intercept Houthi missiles and drones.

However, there are concerns about the cost-effectiveness and reliability of these defensive measures. There is a particular worry about the potential for a "swarm" attack strategy by the Houthis, like tactics employed by Russia in Ukraine, involving the simultaneous launch of multiple drones and missiles, which would significantly challenge the defensive capabilities of these warships.

UN debates Yemen Rebels Over Red Sea Attacks

Another meeting at the United Nations, following the recent attacks on the vessels MSC United and Maersk Hangzhou, emphasised the critical need to protect global supply chains and prevent further regional tensions.

Khaled Khiari, a senior UN official, highlighted the alarming developments in the Red Sea, stressing the detrimental impact of continued Houthi threats to maritime navigation. The actions of the Houthi rebels, he warned, not only threaten millions in Yemen and the region but also the world at large. The suspension of Red Sea operations by major shipping companies like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd underscores the severity of the situation, leading to increased freight costs and delayed deliveries globally.

Khiari also demanded the immediate release of the vessel Galaxy Leader and its crew, held since November 19, 2023. He firmly stated that no cause justifies these attacks on navigation freedom, urging all parties to de-escalate and restore normal traffic through the Red Sea.

Similarly, Arsenio Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) emphasized the importance of safeguarding seafarers, navigation freedom, and supply chain stability. He noted that the Red Sea shipping lane, accounting for 15% of global trade, has seen many companies rerouting their ships to avoid risks, significantly increasing travel time and freight rates.

As the Security Council convened, many representatives condemned the Houthi attacks and echoed calls for the release of the Galaxy Leader. They recognised the detrimental effects of disrupting this vital shipping lane on global supply chains and humanitarian aid delivery.

While calls for de-escalation to prevent regional catastrophes were widespread, some delegates urged a broader understanding of the situation’s context.

The Russian delegate linked the Red Sea violence to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, criticising the U.S. for its stance on Israel's actions and suggesting that such policies fuel rage in the Arab world, manifesting in dangerous ways like the Houthi actions in the Red Sea.

In response, the U.S. representative reported on multinational naval operations launched to protect southern Red Sea shipping and deter non-state actors. He condemned the Houthi attacks as violations of international law and highlighted Iran's role in funding Houthi operations, calling for attention to this issue.

Israel's representative also pointed to Iran, accusing it of seeking regional dominance and supporting terrorist proxies. He urged the Council to address Iran's destructive influence in the Middle East.

Houthis Vow to Persist in Targeting Vessels Linked to Israel, Despite International Condemnation

However, in a declaration of defiance, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to continue their campaign against vessels they associate with Israel, undeterred by international criticism.

This stance comes amidst their expressed solidarity with Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel. The series of maritime attacks by the Houthi rebels commenced following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7.

Since November, the Iranian-backed Houthis have intensified their attacks in the Red Sea, targeting commercial shipping with missiles, drones, fast boats, and helicopters. These attacks have occurred around two dozen times, with the Houthis often, but not always accurately, claiming that the targeted vessels have connections to Israel.

Despite Yemen's status as the poorest Arab nation, the Houthi rebels have amassed a significant stockpile of missiles and drones, showcasing their capacity to continue these maritime assaults.

The Houthis openly declared their intent to target vessels en route to Israel in solidarity with Hamas. However, the exact destinations of all the attacked ships remain uncertain. In November, the Houthis captured a vessel they claimed was an Israeli cargo ship.

The United States initiated a naval operation aimed at safeguarding ships in the region. This operation has seen participation from multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway, and Spain.

Major shipping corporations, such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and the oil giant BP, have reacted to these threats by rerouting their vessels away from the Red Sea.

Who are Houthis?

The Houthis, an armed group in Yemen, emerge from a subsect of the country's Shia Muslim minority, known as the Zaidis. The group's name honours its founder, Hussein al Houthi. Formed in the 1990s, the Houthis originally aimed to counter what they perceived as corruption under then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Their resistance intensified when President Saleh, with Saudi military support, attempted to quash them in 2003, but the Houthis repelled these efforts.

By 2014, the Houthi rebels had plunged into a full-blown civil war against the Yemeni government. The latter, supported by a coalition of Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, faced staunch opposition from the Houthis.

As of early 2022, the United Nations estimated the conflict had resulted in around 377,000 deaths and displaced four million people.

The Houthis align themselves with Iran's "axis of resistance," which also includes groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, in opposition to Israel, the US, and Western interests.

Support for the Houthis extends beyond Yemen's borders. The group models itself on Lebanon's Shia militant organization, Hezbollah, which has allegedly provided significant military expertise and training.

Iran, sharing a common enemy in Saudi Arabia with the Houthis, is suspected of supplying them with weapons. The US has accused Iranian intelligence of being instrumental in the Houthis' maritime targeting capabilities. Iran denies the charge.

The Yemeni government, now restructured under the Presidential Leadership Council since April 2022, operates from Riyadh, having been displaced from Yemen. Despite this, most of the Yemeni population resides in areas under Houthi control, including Sanaa and much of the north, as well as the Red Sea coastline.

The Houthis not only govern these territories but also engage in tax collection and currency printing. The UN Security Council estimated their following to be between 100,000 and 120,000, a mix of armed and unarmed supporters, as of 2010.