The aggression by the Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen, continues to escalate, prompting discussions about the need to redesignate them as a foreign terrorist organization. In February 2021, President Biden removed the group from the terror list, a decision that many now question. Over the past year, the Houthis have been responsible for 23 attacks on international ships, raising concerns about the safety of maritime trade routes.
Experts, like Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of the National Security Institute, argue that taking the Houthis off the terror group list was a mistake. While a few of their leaders remain designated, the entire group has been causing problems in Yemen for several years. They have clashed with Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the United States in the region. With the recent surge in attacks, the involvement of U.S. forces has become a significant issue that demands attention.
The implications of these attacks go beyond immediate security concerns. Nearly $9 billion worth of trade flows between the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, critical for global trade, are at stake. Approximately 9.2% of the world's oil passes through the Suez Canal daily. If shipping routes are disrupted, shipping delays lasting up to 14 days are expected, leading to inflation and supply chain disruptions in the United States and Europe. This exacerbates existing economic challenges and signals the urgency for action against the Houthis and their Iranian backers.
Efforts to counter the Houthis include the multinational maritime force, Operation Prosperity Guardian. However, some nations, like Italy and Spain, have dropped their support for this initiative, questioning its effectiveness. Lack of perceived strength and a robust strategy against the Houthis may dissuade allies from fully backing the operation. It is crucial to take a proactive approach rather than merely responding to attacks.
The popularity of President Biden's handling of relations with Iran, the main supporter of the Houthis, is also under scrutiny. According to a recent news poll, only 12% of Americans believe that the administration's approach has made the United States safer. This sentiment underscores the need for a more assertive stance against Iran, given its involvement with not only the Houthis but also other regional destabilizing actors like Hamas.
As the situation in the Red Sea intensifies, the importance of addressing the Houthis and Iranian influence becomes increasingly apparent. The United States and its allies must demonstrate unwavering commitment to safeguarding international shipping routes while deterring further aggression from the Houthis and their backers. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for global trade and security.
