Since November 2023, Yemen's Houthi movement has conducted an unprecedented campaign of anti-ship attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. Armed with Iranian-supplied missiles and drones, the Houthis have forced major shipping companies to reroute around Africa — adding weeks and billions in costs to global trade.
Scale of the Crisis
The Red Sea/Suez Canal route carries approximately 12% of global trade, including 30% of container traffic and significant oil/LNG shipments. The Houthi campaign has resulted in:
- 70%+ reduction in Suez Canal transits by major shipping lines
- Shipping insurance rates in the Red Sea increased by 10-20x
- Rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope adds 10-14 days and $1M+ fuel costs per voyage
- Multiple commercial vessels struck, with at least one (the Rubymar) sinking
Houthi Weapons Arsenal
The Houthis employ a mix of Iranian-supplied and locally produced weapons:
| Weapon | Type | Range | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quds-1/Quds-2 | Land-attack cruise missile | 700-800 km | Iranian Quds derivative |
| Toufan | Anti-ship cruise missile | 200+ km | Iranian Noor/C-802 derivative |
| Burkan | Ballistic missile | 800+ km | Iranian Qiam derivative |
| Samad | One-way attack drone | 1,500 km | Iranian Shahed derivative |
| Sammad | One-way attack drone | 500-1,000 km | Local production, Iranian design |
| Unmanned surface vessels | Explosive boat drone | — | Local production |
Attack Tactics
The Houthis use sophisticated multi-layer attack tactics:
- Intelligence: Iranian satellite data and potentially ship AIS tracking to identify and target specific vessels
- Drones first: One-way attack drones launched to test defenses and create distraction
- Anti-ship missiles: Cruise missiles launched at low altitude to exploit gaps created by drone engagement
- Ballistic follow-up: Ballistic missiles targeting ships in port (Eilat) or high-value naval targets
US/Coalition Response
The US formed Operation Prosperity Guardian — a multinational naval coalition to protect Red Sea shipping. The operation has involved Aegis-equipped destroyers and cruisers shooting down Houthi missiles and drones. The USS Carney alone expended over 100 interceptors in its deployment.
The US and UK have also conducted direct strikes against Houthi launch sites in Yemen using Tomahawk cruise missiles and air strikes. However, the Houthis' ability to operate from dispersed locations in rugged terrain means that strikes temporarily disrupt but do not eliminate their launch capability.
Why It Matters
The Houthi campaign demonstrates that a non-state actor with access to modern anti-ship weapons can disrupt global trade at minimal cost. The Houthis spend millions on weapons while causing billions in disruption. This asymmetric leverage makes the Red Sea crisis a template for future conflicts — any group controlling territory near a maritime chokepoint can potentially replicate the Houthi model.