U.S. warns Houthis to stop attacks in Red Sea

U.S. warns Houthis to stop attacks in Red Sea

The Biden administration has sent messages to the Houthi rebels in Yemen via several channels recently warning them to stop their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and against Israel, two U.S. officials said.

Why it matters: The Houthi attacks have created tensions in the region and are posing a growing threat to ships navigating one of the region’s main commercial shipping routes.

Driving the news: Since the Israel-Hamas war started, the Houthis have launched more than 70 drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel, which is more than 1,000 miles away from Yemen, the IDF said.

  • Almost all of the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli, U.S., French and Saudi air defense systems.
  • In recent weeks, the Houthis escalated their attacks and started targeting commercial ships in the vicinity of the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, which they claimed were owned by Israeli companies or were heading to Israel.
  • But most of the vessels that were attacked had a remote or no affiliation with Israel.
  • On Thursday, the Houthis conducted another attack on a ship owned by a Chinese company.

Behind the scenes: U.S. special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, who visited the Gulf in recent days, asked his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar to convey warning messages to the Houthis, the officials said.

  • Lenderking stressed the U.S. is highly concerned about Houthi attacks that threaten freedom of navigation in international waters.
  • The U.S. officials said several countries in the region gave similar messages to the Houthis over the last two weeks and made clear Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or against Israel over their territory are “unacceptable.”
  • These warnings so far haven’t led the Houthis to de-escalate their attacks, U.S. officials admit.

State of play: As a result of the attacks, the arrival of commercial ships to the port of Eilat in southern Israel has almost completely stopped.

  • Ships heading to Israel from Asia now take a route that circles Africa, making the journey three weeks longer and more expensive.
  • Over the past two weeks, ships headed to other ports outside Israel also started using the longer route to reach Europe in order not to be targeted.

More on the subject...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Yellow-and-White-Modern-Workplace-Safeity-Training-Presentation-10.png
Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Wanted to Know About Customs Agents

Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Wanted to Know About Customs Brokers In an era where global supply chains are under pressure — from the “Operation Iron Swords” conflict to the increasing...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/יחדיו-עמילות-מכס-3.png
FCL vs. LCL: Which Shipping Option Is Right for Your Business?

Introduction: A Logistical Decision with Financial Impact For any importer, the choice between FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) is strategic. It influences not only the final...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/יחדיו-עמילות-מכס-2.png
Customs Broker – The Central Player in the Supply Chain: Roles, Responsibilities, and Challenges

Introduction In every import transaction—whether it’s a massive container shipment from the Far East or a personal package from the United States—there is one key player who mediates between the importer...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/יחדיו-1.png
Exemption under Section 2(g)(2) of the Free Import Order – Who Qualifies and How to Obtain It

Introduction Importing goods into Israel requires compliance with strict regulations, especially regarding standards, licensing, and coordination with government authorities. However, there are legal exceptions...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/יחדיו.png
Customs Brokerage in Israel: What It Really Is and Why You Can’t Do Without It

Introduction The global economy has opened up countless opportunities for cross-border trade—but with those opportunities come complex regulatory, bureaucratic, and logistical challenges. That’s where...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/מה-ההבדל-בין-FTA-TPA-ו־RTA_-מדריך-להסכמי-סחר-חופשי.png
What’s the Difference Between FTA, TPA, and RTA? A Guide to Trade Agreements

Introduction In today’s globalized economy, international trade agreements play a central role in shaping how goods and services move across borders. The acronyms FTA, TPA, and RTA represent different...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/הצהרת-יבואן-–-למה-זה-קריטי-וכיצד-נכון-למלא-אותה.png
Importer's Declaration – Why It’s Critical and How to Fill It Out Correctly

Introduction In an era of advanced regulation and increased scrutiny of global trade, the importer’s declaration has become one of the most critical documents in the import chain. It’s a legal document...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/פקקי-ענק-בנמלי-אירופה.png
Massive Congestion in Northern European Ports: Half of the Ships Are Waiting to Dock

Introduction In what has been dubbed the “Maritime Gridlock Crisis” of 2025, Northern Europe’s ports are experiencing unprecedented congestion. According to data from logistics tracking...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/מחיר-מלחמת-הסחר-אנייה-אחת-–-מכס-של-417-מיליון-דולר.png
The True Cost of the Trade War: One Ship – $417 Million in Duties

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ממשלת-ישראל-אישרה-את-הסכם-ההובלה-הימית-עם-ממלכת-מרוקו.png
The Israeli Government Approves Maritime Transport Agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco

Introduction In 2025, a historic decision was made: the Israeli government officially approved a maritime transport agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco. This strategic cooperation is expected to strengthen...

1 2 3 11