By Al-Fassel | 2024-02-26

The Iran-backed Houthis' attacks in and around the Red Sea are driving up prices and causing delivery delays for critical humanitarian items, such as food and medicine, in places where these are needed most.

"This is adversely affecting those in need of assistance around the world, including in Sudan, Ethiopia and in Yemen itself," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a February 21 rebuke to the group.

"Many of the ships that the Houthis have attacked contained food, such as grain and corn, headed for those countries," Miller said, adding that "time and time again, the Houthis continue to demonstrate disregard to the Yemeni people."

Houthis attacked a civilian ship and disabled it on February 18, risking spillage of fertilizer and fuel into the sea and threatening Yemen's fishing industry.

On the afternoon of February 19, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at MV Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier that was bringing corn and other food supplies to the Yemeni people in Aden and al-Hodeidah, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

"One of the missiles detonated near the ship causing minor damage," it said. "Nevertheless, her crew proceeded on course to their ultimate destination: delivering grain to Aden, Yemen, for the benefit of the Yemeni people."

"MV Sea Champion has delivered humanitarian aid to Yemen 11 times in the past five years," CENTCOM said, noting that "Houthi aggression in the region has exacerbated already high levels of need in conflict-impacted Yemen."

Safeguarding humanitarian aid

Yemen remains "one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world," CENTCOM noted, with nearly 80% of the population needing humanitarian assistance.

"We are committed to countering the Houthis' malign activities, which directly endanger the imports of foodstuff and humanitarian aid to Yemen," it said.

"The United States has taken pains to ensure that our sanctions and other actions to impose costs on the Houthis do not restrict commercial shipments or humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen," Miller said.

"The Houthis' actions, in contrast, are preventing the delivery of food and essential items on which the Yemeni people rely and making it difficult for humanitarians to do their essential work," he said.

This endangers an already fragile humanitarian situation, he added.

The International Rescue Committee said it was "already seeing delays in shipments of lifesaving commodities, including pharmaceuticals," as well as "rising inflation, and increased costs of basic commodities in local markets such as food and fuel."

Miller also accused the Houthis of "alienating the world community and putting the peace process in Yemen -- which parties, including the Houthis, have painstakingly negotiated over the last two years -- in jeopardy."

The United States has made it clear it does not want conflict in the Red Sea, Miller said, adding that the US and its partners will continue to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping, and safeguard humanitarian assistance.

Strikes target Houthis' drones, missiles

US forces shot down three one-way attack drones near commercial ships in the Red Sea on February 23. And in the early hours of February 22, US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down six one-way attack drones in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM said the drones were likely targeting US and coalition warships.

Later on February 22, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden, damaging the MV Islander -- a Palau-flagged, UK-owned, cargo carrier -- and causing one minor injury.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and maritime security firm Ambrey reported a fire aboard the ship, which Ambrey said "appeared to be headed from Map Ta Phut, Thailand," AFP reported.

The same day, Israel intercepted what appeared to be an attack launched by the Houthis near the port city of Eilat, the Associated Press reported.

On February 21, US forces conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile launcher that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.

US forces also shot down a one-way attack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in self-defense, saying the missiles, launchers and UAS presented an "imminent threat" to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region.

In his February 21 statement, Miller said the United States "condemns the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis."

"The Houthis are behaving like a terrorist organization -- attacking civilians, civilian shipping, and innocent mariners, and they continue to detain the crew of the Galaxy Leader, consisting of 25 people from five different countries," he said.

"This is piracy."