A resurgent campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against commercial ships in the Red Sea is set to deter many shipowners from returning to the key trade route without the promise of naval protection.
The Iranian-backed militants, who control large areas of Yemen, have regrouped since a ceasefire with Washington in May ended a series of damaging US strikes on their positions and stockpiles. They are expected to continue their attacks after sinking two ships this week, said analysts and industry figures.
The assault on one of the ships, the Liberian-flagged Eternity C cargo vessel, killed at least one person, the vessel’s manager said, while another four had not been seen since the sinking and 10 were unaccounted for. The US has accused the Houthis of kidnapping several crew members.