The war in Yemen has had significant effects on maritime transport throughout the Persian Gulf region. The Houthis have recently intensified their attacks on the forces of the internationally recognized government in Yemen (IRG) and have also targeted critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. This situation has disrupted transport routes to and from Saudi Arabia.
Attacks on Airports and Oil Infrastructure
Attacks on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia, including the temporary closure of King Khalid International Airport, have placed additional pressure on transport routes in the country. These attacks have also damaged oil pipelines and port infrastructure along Saudi Arabia's western coast, posing a serious threat to commercial interests beyond Saudi borders. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia's allied countries have yet to provide operational support to change the course of the war in Yemen.
Developments in the Yemen Battlefield
Inside Yemen, fighting has intensified around Taiz, which is under the control of the IRG and is currently besieged by the Houthis. However, IRG forces have managed to prevent the Houthis from entering the city. In the southwestern coastal areas of Yemen, with a relative calm in the situation, the government's efforts to reclaim lost territories earlier this month have faced less success than reported.
The Houthis have also maintained control over the Hanish Islands, allowing them to pose a serious threat to maritime transport in the Red Sea. They are currently not utilizing this capability, but it is expected that they will exploit it after stabilizing their position in the current war. Meanwhile, the Houthis have also retained the ability to import goods through their ports in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif.
Security Situation in the Red Sea
The uncertain situation in the southern Red Sea has led forces that previously suppressed the piracy threat to withdraw from the area. The National Resistance Forces, which operated particularly from Mocha, regularly intercepted shipments entering from the Houthis. However, with declining security, some of these forces have now joined the Yemeni Coast Guard in Aden.
Meanwhile, the European Union's naval operations under the names Aspida and Atalanta are the only naval coalitions currently assisting commercial ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. These forces are responding to the increase in piracy in the region and recently succeeded in preventing an attempted seizure of a cargo ship. These developments highlight new vulnerabilities in maritime trade routes and the threats arising from the Yemen war.
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