Houthi insurgency

The United States has reportedly reached out to China, urging them to use their influence with Tehran to put an end to the ship attacks carried out by Yemen's Iran-affiliated Houthi rebels. Despite repeated discussions on the matter, Washington has encountered limited cooperation from Beijing, as reported by the Financial Times, citing US officials.

The recent attacks by the Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea have already started to significantly affect trading activities, especially in the container segment, while creating an opportunity for Turkish manufacturers.

In a joint effort, the United States and the United Kingdom executed a series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the eighth round of attacks within the past 10 days. The latest operation, carried out on Monday, targeted the rebels' infrastructure, hitting eight specific sites. This joint action received support from Canada, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and Australia.

The United States and Britain launched new strikes on Yemen's Huthis Monday, saying their second round of joint military action against the Iran-backed rebels was in response to continued attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea, as well as concerns over free navigation amid Houthi attacks over the phone on Monday.

"We apply the rules of engagement in accordance with international law. If we detect a ship approaching in a threatening manner, we follow a specific procedure," K.S. tells Kathimerini.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared that Russian and Chinese ships navigating the Red Sea are not under threat, with one leader, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, going so far as to pledge "the safe passage of these ships." However, he issued a stark warning, stating that "Israeli ships or those with even a weak connection to Israel will not have the slightest chance to pass through the Red Se

The already volatile situation in the Red Sea took a dangerous turn as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the US-owned vessel Chem Ranger. The incident, which occurred on January 18 at approximately 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), raised concerns about the safety of maritime traffic in the region.

Amidst heightened tensions in the region, Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted the Red Sea port city of Eilat, prompting Israel to activate air raid sirens and respond with defensive measures. Explosions were reported near Eilat, with the Israeli military confirming the firing of an interceptor missile in response to the attack.

In a significant development, the United States has declared Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, citing ongoing threats and attacks by the rebel group. This move comes in response to recent Houthi assaults on ships navigating the Red Sea, prompting the US to launch targeted strikes on Houthi positions within Yemen.