Potential Houthi threat in the Red Sea could further harm the global economy

(Patria) - The Houthis held their fire during the first four weeks of the war, despite their connection to Iran. Now, the movement that still holds Yemen's capital, Sana'a, as well as the north and other areas of the country, has made its first move, firing missiles towards Israel, writes the BBC.

The Houthis say they targeted "sensitive Israeli military locations".

The threat the Houthis pose to Israel with missile fire is far less than the threat from Iran.

The group has fired at Israel many times in support of Hamas since the war in Gaza broke out, following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. These attacks, which ended many months ago, caused little actual damage to Israel.

However, the Houthis pose a much greater threat off the coast of Yemen.

As part of their support for Hamas, the group has targeted ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Their action then threatened this crucial commercial shipping route.

If they were to do so again, it would be another major blow to the global economy. Combined with Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, two of the world's main strategic waterways for trade and energy supply could potentially be cut off.

The Houthis could also target energy and military infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – as they have done before.

When the Houthis previously carried out such actions, they faced intense airstrikes from the United States and Israel, aimed at their leadership and military capabilities. But the Houthis seem to have endured this. The question now is how far the movement is willing to go.

There is also the issue of Yemen, which has been relatively peaceful for some time after years of turmoil and war. The deepening military involvement of the Houthis in the war between the US, Israel, and Iran could trigger a new outbreak of conflict in Yemen.

There is no doubt that if the Houthis continue and intensify their attacks, it will mark a new escalation and expansion of the war.