THE EARLY PHOENIX
Yemen’s Houthis
August 27, 2024
1. Houthi Attack on Greek Ship in the Red Sea: Major Environmental Risk
The Greek-flagged vessel Sounion was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi group on August 23, resulting in a fire that continues to burn. The European Union’s maritime mission (EMASOH) confirmed that the blaze persists, but no oil spill has been detected so far. The Houthis, in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, claimed responsibility for the attack. Satellite images show smoke rising from the ship, which is carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil. Fires have been reported in at least five locations on the vessel, raising significant environmental concerns in the region.
2. New Incident Reported Near Yemeni Port of Mokha Amid Rising Tensions
A new maritime incident was reported 61 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s Mokha port, as ongoing tensions continue in the Red Sea. The European Union Naval Mission revealed that fires are still burning on the Greek-flagged ship Sunion, which was hit by three projectiles off the coast of Hodeidah by the Houthis on August 23. The attack, part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting commercial ships linked to Israel, caused significant damage to the tanker, including a fire that continues to rage around the vessel’s oil tanks.
2. Houthi Drones Target Oil Facility, Challenging Economic Truce Efforts
On Friday morning, Houthi militants launched three explosive drones at the Safer oil facility in Marib, Yemen. This attack threatens to undermine the recent economic de-escalation agreement. The Yemeni Defense Ministry confirmed the attempted assault, stating the drones were intercepted before causing significant damage. The drones carried highly explosive materials, emphasizing the region’s ongoing volatility. This incident highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire efforts and the challenges in maintaining a lasting peace.
3. Yemen Shipwreck Claims 13 Migrant Lives, 14 Missing
A migrant boat capsized off Yemen’s Ta’iz governorate, resulting in 13 deaths and 14 missing persons, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel, carrying 25 Ethiopian migrants and two Yemeni nationals, sank near the Dubab district. Among the deceased were 11 men and two women, with search efforts ongoing for the missing, including the Yemeni captain and his assistant. The cause remains unknown. This incident highlights the dangers of migration routes from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, where over 97,200 migrants arrived in 2023 despite ongoing conflict. The IOM calls for increased international support to address migration’s root causes and protect vulnerable migrants. Since 2014, over 2,000 migrant deaths have been recorded on this route.
4. U.S. Military Destroys Three Houthi Drones in the Red Sea
The U.S. Central Command reported the destruction of three Houthi drones on August 23. Two drones were destroyed over the Red Sea, while one was neutralized in Yemen. These drones were identified as imminent threats to coalition forces and commercial shipping operations. Since November, Houthi rebels have increasingly targeted vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, citing support for Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. Their attacks have severely disrupted shipping in this critical maritime corridor, impacting 12% of global trade. In response, the U.S. and an international naval coalition have implemented measures to secure maritime navigation and deter further threats.
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5. Opinion & Analysis
Contributed by Rania Kisar
Houthis Emerge as Global Threat Due to Tehran’s Strategic Manipulation
Yemen, traditionally a nation of happy and life-loving people, has been tragically transformed by the rise of the Houthis. Emerging in the 1990s, the Houthis were a calculated creation of Tehran’s Mullahs, who sought to expand their influence in the region. Through years of secret training and support, the Houthis gained strength and, in 2015, launched unprecedented attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Obama and Biden administrations have unfortunately deviated from historical U.S. norms in the Arab world, weakening regional alliances. Between 2016 and 2020, under President Trump’s administration, the Houthis were significantly weakened, returning to their original status as an insignificant element.
However, the Biden administration’s decision to halt the Hodeidah operations—a critical move intended to liberate the region from Houthi control—allowed the group to expand its influence dramatically. Since 2022, the Houthis have intensified their aggression, becoming a significant threat not only to Arabs and Israelis but also to the United States, Europe, and global maritime routes. Addressing this escalating threat requires targeting its root cause: Iran. Without Tehran’s backing and inclusion in the so-called “axis of resistance” against Israel, the Houthis would be a manageable and easily deterred force, as they have been throughout history.
