U.S.-led mission so far fails to stop Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping

Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen are continuing to launch drone and missile strikes on commercial ships operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, despite international efforts like the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect merchant vessels from attack.

In a report released Thursday, the Defense Intelligence Agency called the Houthis a “growing threat in the region” and said drone and missile attacks have forced almost 30 major energy and shipping companies to alter their routes, significantly driving up operating costs.

“These attacks have endangered crews, damaged regional security, impeded international humanitarian relief efforts, threatened freedom of navigation, and increased the cost and transit times for commercial shipping,” the DIA said in a statement.

The Houthis have conducted dozens of strikes on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea since November 2023, soon after Hamas terrorists launched a rampage into southern Israel that killed at least 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and resulted in about 250 others being taken hostage.

In December 2023, the Houthis threatened to attack any ships they believed were heading to Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. But many of their attacks were launched against civilian ships with Israeli connections that were tenuous at best, DIA officials said.

“Houthi actions have damaged regional security, impeded international humanitarian relief efforts, and put stress on global maritime trade,” DIA officials said.

Container shipping through the Red Sea generally accounts for 10% to 15% of international maritime trade. But it has declined by about 90% since December 2023. Alternate routes around Africa add about 11,000 nautical miles and up to two weeks of additional transit time.

The DIA tracked at least 43 Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden between November 2023 and March 2024. About $1 million extra is spent on fuel costs for each voyage around Africa, DIA officials said.

Many shipping companies say it makes more financial sense to travel around Africa rather than run the risk of sailing through the Red Sea. The combined costs of crew bonuses, war risk insurance — about 1,000% more than pre-war costs — and transit fees for the Suez Canal mean that taking the long route can be a better bargain, DIA officials said.

The Houthis are showing no sign they are dialing back on their attacks on commercial ships operating in the Red Sea. Since June 9, 2024, they have launched about a dozen missile and drone attacks on ships.

On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command officials destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile launchers and a drone that had been fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. One of their drone boats later struck M/V Tutor, a Liberian-flagged but Greek-owned and operated vessel. The impact of the drone caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room, officials said.

“The continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” officials said.