In 2025, the Red Sea—a lifeline of commerce—became a corridor of danger. Yemen's Houthi rebels, seizing on regional unrest, transformed one of the world's busiest trade routes into a war zone. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a slender gate between continents, found itself under siege. What began as a localized insurgency spiraled into a global maritime crisis.

Bab el-Mandeb Strait: A Fragile Artery

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is more than a map point. It is a maritime artery, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal beyond. Over 70 vessels once passed through daily, carrying oil, gas, and cargo between Asia and Europe. In 2025, that number plummeted to under 20 as ships rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time, cost, and uncertainty to every voyage.

Photo Credit: Britannica

Houthi Maritime Attacks: 2024–2025 Timeline

The Houthi threat emerged with missile fire, drone swarms, and armed boardings. Vessels flagged from over 40 countries were targeted.

Impacted Vessels

Galaxy Leader

  • Incident Date: November 2023

  • Flag/Operator: Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned

  • Incident Type: Hijacking

  • Details: The Galaxy Leader was boarded by Houthi forces in the southern Red Sea. The vessel, reportedly linked to Israeli interests, had its 25-member crew taken hostage. This hijacking marked the beginning of the Houthi naval campaign and sent shockwaves across the shipping industry. Despite global condemnation and diplomatic pressure, the crew was held captive for nearly a year.

Galaxy Leader

M/T Strinda

  • Incident Date: December 2023

  • Flag/Operator: Norwegian-flagged oil/chemical tanker

  • Incident Type: Missile strike

  • Details: The M/T Strinda was en route to the Suez Canal carrying biofuel cargo when it was struck by a Houthi-launched cruise missile. A fire broke out onboard, prompting a distress call. A U.S. Navy destroyer responded and assisted with firefighting efforts. The attack demonstrated the increasing accuracy and boldness of Houthi capabilities.

Photo Credit: J Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi

MV Tutor

  • Incident Date: June 2024

  • Flag/Operator: Greek-owned bulk carrier

  • Incident Type: Drone boat attack

  • Details: The MV Tutor was attacked by an explosive-laden drone boat. One crew member was killed, and the vessel suffered critical damage to its stern. This marked the first confirmed fatality among commercial seafarers in the conflict. The attack triggered widespread calls for enhanced crew protection measures.

The MV Tutor sinking in the Red Sea. Credit: Etat-Major des Armées via AP

MV Verbena

  • Incident Date: June 2024

  • Flag/Operator: Liberian-flagged bulk carrier

  • Incident Type: Missile strike

  • Details: Just one day after the MV Tutor attack, the MV Verbena was hit by an anti-ship missile, resulting in serious injuries to one crew member. The ship was forced to seek emergency assistance from naval forces. The back-to-back nature of the attacks raised concerns about coordinated escalation.

Verbana

M/V Rubymar

  • Incident Date: January 2024

  • Flag/Operator: Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated

  • Incident Type: Missile strike

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  • Details: Hit while transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the M/V Rubymar began to sink after the missile strike pierced its hull near the engine room. This marked the first full sinking of a civilian vessel in the conflict. The crew escaped, but the cargo—primarily fertilizers and bulk grain—was lost.

The MV Tutor sinking in the Red Sea. Photo: Etat-Major des Armées via AP

British-Owned Cargo Vessel (Unnamed)

  • Incident Date: December 2023

  • Flag/Operator: British-owned, Belize-flagged

  • Incident Type: Seizure

  • Details: Seized by Houthi forces on allegations of Israeli ownership, the vessel and its cargo were taken to a Houthi-controlled port. The incident added to legal confusion over ownership transparency in global shipping.

Shipping Disruptions: Economic Repercussions

The ripple effects of Red Sea insecurity:

  • Suez Traffic Down 75% in early 2024.

  • Freight Detours: Cape route adds 10+ days and $1M per voyage.

  • This was not just a shipping crisis—it was a global economic shock.

  • Freight & Insurance Costs: War risk surcharges soared.

  • Trade Volume Decline: Over $1 trillion in goods delayed or rerouted.

  • Humanitarian Setbacks: Aid to Sudan and East Africa delayed by months.

International Response: Guns, Diplomacy, and Convoys

The world responded with warships and words:

  • Operation Prosperity Guardian (U.S.-led): 20+ nations joined.

  • EU Operation Aspides: Launched to safeguard shipping lanes.

  • Direct Strikes: U.S. and UK bombed Houthi targets under Operation Poseidon Archer.

  • UN Resolution 2722: Condemned attacks, demanded freedom of navigation.

  • Shipping Industry Calls: ICS, BIMCO, and others urged global action.

Strategic Outlook: What Comes Next?

Despite a tentative ceasefire brokered by Oman in March 2025, threats remain:

  • Houthi Leadership: Claims the ceasefire excludes Israeli-bound vessels.

  • Insurance Risk: Red Sea remains on high-risk lists.

  • Cautious Return: Suez Canal sees limited return of traffic.

  • Global Strategy Shift: Shippers now plan for route diversification and resilience.

The Red Sea is calmer, but peace is fragile. A single missile could reignite the crisis. The world watches Bab el-Mandeb—not with hope, but wary vigilance. In Hemingway’s stripped prose: war changes trade. And trade, when threatened, brings war to doorsteps far from where the bombs fall.

Let the world remember the lesson of 2025: Protect the lanes or lose the cargo. And protect the mariners too—they are the lifeblood of every shipment, every shore.