By Al-Fassel | 2024-10-21

The United States continues to stand against the Houthi threat in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Washington's tactics include sanctions, disablement of weapon suppliers, support of regional partners, and patrols and strikes.

In the last year, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have ceaselessly attacked commercial vessels and civilian crews in the vital Red Sea corridor.

The ships and crews the Houthis have struck are tied to more than 50 different countries, according to the US State Department.

Ordinarily, about 30% of global maritime cargo and more than 1 million barrels of crude oil pass through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea daily.

Disruptions to this vital corridor undermine Egypt's economy and global trade.

Houthi attacks drove down Suez Canal revenues "by 40 to 50%" in 2023-2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said in February.

Additionally, Houthi targeting of tankers raises the likelihood of oil spills, which ravage marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

US commitment to regional partners

The United States in December established Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational effort to protect shipping in the region.

The US Navy has struck Houthi launch sites, destroyed incoming Houthi missiles and drones, and participated in coalition patrols of the Red Sea.

On October 4, it shelled 15 Houthi targets across five locations in Yemen.

The US government also repeatedly has sanctioned individuals and entities arming the Houthis.

The sanctions are meant to disrupt the flow of materiel and to signal Washington's unwavering commitment to regional partners, including Egypt.

In October, US sanctions targeted various international shipping and logistics companies in Iran and China that have helped the Houthis to manufacture, maintain and deploy advanced missiles and drones.

A number of China-based companies, including the Shenzhen Boyu Imports and Exports Co., Limited and Shenzhen Jinghon Electronics Limited, were involved.

The Houthis procured tens of thousands of dollars' worth of dual-use components from the firms to advance their missile and drone production efforts, according to the US Treasury.

Earlier in July, the US Treasury sanctioned Sanaa-based company Al-Shahari United Corporation, which relied on a branch office in the Chinese city of Guangzhou to facilitate shipments of military-grade materials to Yemen.

In August, the United States sanctioned one individual and six companies, and blocked three vessels, for generating illicit revenue for the Houthis.

Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, during a visit to Egypt in July reiterated the United States' continued support.

He and Egyptian officials focused on regional security concerns in Gaza and the Red Sea and the need to reestablish security, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Kurilla in a visit to the Suez Canal Authority discussed the economic impact of Houthi attacks on international shipping.