PODCAST:Today, Explained
TITLE:Pirates of the Red Sea
DATE:2024-01-08 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The episode titled "Pirates of the Red Sea" from the "Today Explained" podcast, dated January 8, 2024, discusses the escalating conflict involving the Houthi rebels from Yemen attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea. These attacks, which began shortly after the October 7, 2024, Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, represent a significant shift in the group's tactics, as they previously focused mainly on regional targets within Yemen and against Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility for over 20 attacks on cargo ships since November, justifying their actions as a form of retaliation and support for Palestinians fighting Israel. These attacks include the hijacking of the Israeli-linked cargo ship Galaxy Leader, taken to Yemen, where its crew is still being held. The Houthis have used various methods for these assaults, including helicopters, drones, missiles, and uncrewed boats rigged with explosives.
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaidi Shia Muslim group from northern Yemen. Their rebellion began in the 1990s against Yemen's long-time dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh. They later capitalized on the power vacuum left by the Arab Spring protests in 2012, seizing the capital city of Sana in 2014. The Houthis receive substantial support from Iran and are engaged in a brutal conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
The podcast highlights the broader implications of these attacks. The disruption in the Red Sea, a crucial shipping route, has caused significant concern in the global shipping industry. Major shipping companies like Maersk have started rerouting ships around Africa to avoid the Red Sea. This shift impacts global trade and raises questions about the safety and reliability of critical maritime trade routes.
The United States' response, through Operation Prosperity Guardian, aims to protect these vital shipping lanes. The U.S. military, along with other international forces, has engaged in direct actions against Houthi forces, including the sinking of their attack boats. However, the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks as long as the conflict in Gaza persists.
This situation underscores the fragile nature of global shipping and the potential for regional conflicts to have far-reaching effects on international trade and security.
