National Interest : Houthi Threat to Red Sea Will Persist Without Consequences

Yemen Online

3 days ago

Aden — In a sharply worded analysis, The National Interest magazine cautioned that Yemen's Houthi militia will continue to endanger international shipping in the Red Sea unless it faces tangible repercussions for its escalating attacks.
The article, co-authored by researchers Mark Dubowitz and Kobi Gottlieb, argues that diplomatic efforts led by the United States and Saudi Arabia have failed to deter the Iran-backed group. Instead, the Houthis have exploited ceasefires to rearm and intensify their operations, including ballistic missile launches on Israeli targets and dozens of assaults on commercial vessels since October 2023.
Global Maritime Security at Risk
- Houthis' actions have disrupted global supply chains, threatening one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
- The threat, the authors stress, extends beyond Israel and now jeopardizes international trade and civilian safety across the region.
Call for a Harder Line
The report urges the U.S. administration to abandon its 'de-escalation at any cost' approach and instead adopt:
- Stricter sanctions
- Heightened diplomatic pressure
- Potential military intervention, if necessary
The authors emphasize that 'ceasefires must be earned, not given', warning that agreements with terrorist-designated groups are unreliable without credible deterrence mechanisms.
As tensions mount in the Red Sea, the article reflects growing international concern over the Houthis' role as a strategic proxy for Iran, and the urgent need for a decisive response to safeguard maritime stability.