Houthis expand Red Sea maritime control, raising risk for Egypt

The Yemen‑based Houthi movement has intensified its campaign to dominate maritime routes in the Red Sea, launching a series of missile and drone strikes aimed at vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. Since early June, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks on commercial ships and oil tankers traversing the Bab al‑Mandab strait, prompting the Saudi navy to increase patrols and issue advisories for rerouting traffic through the Gulf of Aden. International shipping firms have reported heightened insurance premiums and delays, while the United Nations has warned that the disruptions could exacerbate global fuel price volatility.

Analysts note that the expanding Houthi presence also threatens Egypt’s Red Sea ports, particularly the strategic hub of Suez, which handles a significant share of the world’s maritime trade. Egyptian authorities have heightened coastal surveillance and coordinated with NATO’s maritime task force to monitor the heightened risk. The broader implications underscore growing insecurity in a key global shipping corridor, prompting calls for diplomatic engagement to de‑escalate the conflict and safeguard commercial navigation.