Red Sea tensions reach new high as US weighs terrorist designation for Houthis.
Israel and Houthis in Yemen have traded fire for the first time, escalating tensions nine months after commercial ships in the Red Sea started to come under threat from the rebel group -- in a waterway the U.S. Navy has been patrolling since the war in Gaza began. Israel's strike on Yemen's port of Hodeidah on Saturday (20 Jul.) killed three and injured 87, the Yemeni Ministry of Health said, in a fighter jet assault over 1,000 miles away from Tel Aviv.
The IDF on 20 July officially claimed the attack on Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory. "After 9 months of continuous aerial attacks by the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel, IAF [Israeli air force] fighter jets conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km away against Houthi terrorist military targets in the area of Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen," the IDF said.
Disruptions to Red Sea cargo shipping, caused by ongoing attacks by Houthis in Yemen continue to significantly affect the chemicals industry, especially in Europe and Asia, according consulting firm ICIS. The impact has been less in the US because American exporters can ship chemicals and other goods on easier alternative routes that avoid the Red Sea
“Current situation in ocean market due to Read sea Crisis pushed multiple businesses in Europe to find another routes of import their goods to meet Just-in-Time production plans. Many import/export companies logically seek help in rail transportation between China and Europe as relayable and faster solution than current transit time on sea. Asstra is well prepared for this sittuation as we offer FCL / LCL services for our customers on rail route from China to Poland or Germany an then further our FTL/LTL trucks can deliver cargo from terminals or consolidation warehouses to every part of Europe. For one of our partners we even organise import cargo from China to Turkey via Polish rail terminal. Current transit time on this rout can be managed up to 30-40 days,” said Jakub Lewczuk Head of Rail China - EU
An Iranian vessel carrying weapons and experts destined for Houthi rebels in Yemen has vanished in the Red Sea, according to Arab media reports. The ship, which was transporting missile assembly equipment, has been missing for four days after entering the Red Sea from the Horn of Africa. The disappearance has sparked worry among Houthi leadership in Sanaa, who fear the vessel may have fallen into American hands. (Published on 07-17-2024)
Author: Aneta Kowalczyk.