Ending the Red Sea Storm

Red Sea security is considered part of the national security of major powers and one of the most important issues related to the economy of these powers. Not only that, but this matter has not remained the monopoly of any one country to control or dominate it alone, as it is a global issue related to the global economy as a whole and international shipping routes. This equation remained for decades without any noteworthy uproar or disputes erupting until the Houthi militias appeared and turned the equation upside down, causing a storm and a threat that inflicted severe damage to shipping security and brought about the largest international military mobilization to deter their folly and secure global trade routes in the Red Sea.

The Houthi threat has continued to create a security crisis in the Red Sea, with its indirect threat to international navigation, hijacking of ships, and launching of missiles and drones in blatant defiance of international will. It has also blatantly harassed the interests of major powers under various pretexts, until its arrogance became apparent and its role in the threat supported by Tehran became widespread. International responses avoided confrontation with it and refrained from deterring it as necessary, until that luck lost with the change in the White House administration and the rise of Trump, who was determined to eradicate that threat and destroy its sources.

International politics is no longer characterized by the values of diplomacy and soft reaction. Tensions have reached their peak with the rise of Trump, and the military option has become a primary option, topping the list of international clashes and tensions arising in all global issues. This new emergency will suppress any threat emanating from any direction or escalating from any enemy. The raging storm in the Red Sea has always existed, so it was necessary to nip it in the bud and end its anxiety, especially since Trump is in a state of arrogance and crazy adventure that pushes him to enter the fray of war, waving his threats right and left. He is determined, without hesitation, to eradicate the Houthi threat and destroy its outlets with a frightening ferocity that has spread terror among the group’s ranks and humbled their foolishness.

The Houthis did not expect to be suppressed in such a brutal manner, and for Washington to be so serious and determined, aspiring to end this crisis to the end without deceit or hesitation. This matter was a great shock to the militia leaders, disrupting their plans, throwing them off balance, and eradicating their missile strengths and the military infrastructure used to carry out their attacks. The group received painful blows, destroying some of its leadership, expanding the scope of its targets, and carefully selecting them to destroy all the hidden sites that the Houthis use as a home to manage their operations.

Washington realized that it was in a coma due to its failure to comprehend the magnitude of the Houthi threat at sea, but now it finds all the motives and justifications logical for what it is doing. It has admitted that the Houthis have targeted its ships 174 times. Not only that, but it may have realized that Iran is behind supplying the Houthis with military technology that has enabled them to possess dangerous drones and ballistic missiles. It is the one that provided them with experts and smuggled manufacturing materials to them. Therefore, its eradication efforts will be devastating to everything the militias possess and will completely disable their capabilities. It will tighten the noose on them financially and militarily and will impose continuous naval control to hinder the supply of what was previously available.

The White House has asserted that it is not concerned with the parties to the conflict in Yemen, and will only pursue its stated goals of undermining the Houthi missile force. However, American and international research centers have criticized the Trump administration for this fragmented plan, accusing it of failing to eliminate the Houthi threat completely, but rather strengthening its grip on the people. However, the Houthis will remain a thorn in the side of danger and will resume their attacks. These raids are supposed to be accompanied by military and economic support for the legitimate forces, prompting them to launch a ground offensive toward Houthi areas to diminish their influence.

The global burdens that have accumulated due to the storm are many, whether in the countries of the region, such as Egypt, where Sisi stated that Egypt loses $800 million annually due to what is happening and the evasion of commercial ships from crossing the Red Sea. Some ships have also tried to pay secret tributes to the Houthis in exchange for ensuring their safe passage. I mentioned the huge numbers that the militias have earned from this source, and perhaps they have lived up to the role and expanded their ambitions in this regard, and wanted to go further in it, but the international community is determined to put an end to this matter, and the White House will support them in deterring the source of this threat.

It is possible that the path of the American attacks will not reach its planned range, given the nature of the Houthi military strategy, which has enabled the Houthis to conceal their military infrastructure and disperse it across cities, countryside, mountains and residential areas. This will put the lives of civilians at risk on the one hand and hinder the progress of the American raids, which lack intelligence information that allows them to complete their missions in a short time. The continuation of their strikes will be prolonged unless there is a way out of the dilemma through other means, such as negotiations and a reduction in tensions by both parties.

The legitimate Yemeni leadership bears the burden of ignoring and distrusting it, considering it a window to end any conflict with the Houthis, whether in relation to maritime issues or the issue of an internationally recognized authority and a coup gang that has cast its shadow of danger on everyone. This is a heavy price that the Leadership Council has not calculated, as it is teeming with problems without caring about its image before the world. Otherwise, it would be better to place it at the heart of the Houthi threat and undermine it in any context. It is supposed to change its policy and present visions that restore its standing in the international resolution that ignores its role or supports it in moving the present, which is suffocating in confusion, dispersion, and disappointment in overcoming the fragmented reality.