By SAM MAGDY

 

SANA'A, YEMEN. 29 March. - (ANA) - The Houthis have so far refrained from attacking shipping routes in the Red Sea, a move -- which if it happened -- would further disrupt the shipping industry and the global economy.

 

Any Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait would disrupt traffic through the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for vessels bearing oil, gas and sundry goods to the Mediterranean Sea.

 

About 10% of global maritime trade – including 40% of container ship traffic – chugs through the canal each year.

 

Any disruption would mean vessels having to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, adding to insurance costs and delays in cargo deliveries. It would also potentially disrupt Saudi oil export to Asia through the Saudi Yanbu pot on the Red Sea.

 

Houthi rebels attacked over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels, between November 2023 and January 2025.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/29 March 2026 - - -