YEMEN-HOUTHI CONFLICT

Yemen's multi-dimensional conflict began as a political crisis following the 2011 Arab Spring, evolved into civil war when Houthi forces (Ansar Allah) swept south from Saada province to capture the capital Sanaa in September 2014, and expanded into a regional proxy war when a Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015. After a decade of fighting, the Houthis have consolidated control of northwestern Yemen including Sanaa and the Red Sea coast, while the internationally recognized government holds the south and east.

The conflict took a dramatically new global dimension beginning October 19, 2023, when Houthis launched their first ballistic missile at Israel in solidarity with Gaza. By early 2024, Houthis had launched over 100 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea using anti-ship ballistic missiles, Shahed suicide drones, naval mines, and drone boats. Major shipping companies including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and BP rerouted vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, adding $1 million+ in fuel costs per voyage and 10-14 days in transit time.

The Red Sea shipping corridor handles approximately 15% of global seaborne trade and 8% of global LNG trade, making Houthi interdiction of this waterway one of the most consequential acts of economic warfare since World War II. The United States established Operation Prosperity Guardian and launched Operation Poseidon Archer — hundreds of strikes on Houthi missile systems, radar installations, and leadership targets in Yemen from January 2024.

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints: 17,000 vessels transit it annually carrying 15% of global seaborne trade. Houthi attacks have effectively shut down this corridor for major shipping lines. Egyptian revenues from the Suez Canal — which handles 12% of global trade — fell by $7 billion in 2024 as traffic collapsed 50%. Yemen's humanitarian situation remains catastrophic: 21 million of 34 million people require humanitarian assistance, and the country has the world's worst cholera outbreak with 2.5 million cases. The conflict demonstrates how a poorly-equipped non-state actor armed by Iran can hold global commerce hostage.

Houthis deploy an estimated 200,000+ fighters armed with Iranian-supplied Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with 700 km range, Shahed-136 suicide drones, Noor anti-ship missiles (C-802 derivatives), naval mines, and Houthi-developed drone boats. Iran provides technical advisors, missile components, and targeting intelligence. Saudi Arabia has deployed F-15S, Typhoon, and Tornado aircraft for airstrikes; UAE operates F-16 Block 60 with US-supplied smart munitions. The Saudi coalition has conducted over 25,000 airstrikes over 10 years.

ESCALATED — Part of 2026 Iran War. Houthi forces have dramatically escalated attacks as part of Iran's Axis of Resistance during the 2026 Iran War. Anti-ship missiles and drones target commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb strait. 50%+ of container shipping has rerouted around Africa. US/UK coalition strikes continue against Houthi missile storage and command facilities near Sanaa and Hodeidah. Houthis have launched cruise missiles at US Navy destroyers. The Red Sea is effectively a warzone. Global shipping costs have surged.