Yemeni Coast Guard warns of expanded Houthi maritime threats

Major General Khaled al-Qamali, head of the internationally recognized Yemeni Coast Guard, has warned that Houthi control over coastal areas and islands near Mocha and Bab al-Mandab has fundamentally altered maritime security threats in the Red Sea.

Al-Qamali stated that the threat has expanded beyond direct attacks on vessels via missiles, drones, and armed boats. The militia's control over strategic coastal sites now enables enhanced maritime surveillance and the expansion of smuggling networks. He noted a significant shift in smuggling tactics: vessels linked to the militia are now operating openly along the Red Sea coast with tracking devices turned on, whereas they previously deactivated them to avoid detection.

The control of these locations allows the militia to receive, hide, and redistribute various shipments across multiple points. Potential smuggled items include weapons, dual-use technologies, communication equipment, military components, and narcotics. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding increased connectivity between Houthi networks and armed groups in the Horn of Africa, such as Al-Shabaab, which could facilitate the exchange of technology, funding, and equipment. These developments pose a risk of increased insurance and protection costs for international shipping companies.