The plans of the American command to wage a long campaign against the Houthis have led to the spread of interesting information about possible countermeasures by Ansarallah, according to pro-Iranian sources.

 

According to the press service of Hezbollah, the Houthis are considering blockading three sea routes under the name "Al-Aqsa Triangle":

      • the Suez Canal,
      • the Bab El-Mandeb,
      • the Straits of Hormuz.

This blockade would have a significant impact on the economies of several states.

🔻 Technically, members of the Ansarallah movement can indeed attack not only the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, but also the other two arteries. They have long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, thanks to their own production capabilities.

We immediately recall the attacks on the UAE or oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which were located at a considerable distance from Yemen and were protected by the Patriots. So, this scenario is not unrealistic.

🔻 As for who will suffer from such a scenario, we should assess the situation in the Red Sea. Vessels connected with Israel and, more recently, with the U.S.A. and Great Britain (and not always), have come under attack. Other countries are targeted only by mistake or accident.

The same can be expected here. It is not in the best interest of the Houthis to attack everything that moves, but rather to target the vessels associated with the ultra-Orthodox ruling in Israel. This is stated by the head of the movement, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

Iranians would be delighted with such a scenario. The same can be said about the Americans, who are not particularly dependent on any of the sea routes and use the threat of the Houthis to put pressure on the ultra-Orthodox and their supporters.

 

 

'Houthis Attack Commercial Shipping Vessel with Anti-Ship Missiles' | CENTCOM 

 

🔻 "On Jan. 24 at approximately 2 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated container ship M/V Maersk Detroit, transiting the Gulf of Aden. One missile impacted in the sea. The two other missiles were successfully engaged and shot down by the USS Gravely (DDG 107). There were no reported injuries or damage to the ship."

 

Some transport companies have already begun searching for an alternative route through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, as they seem to realize that the conflict in the Horn of Africa could be prolonged.

The German transport company Hapag-Lloyd has announced the development of an inland multimodal route. Under this plan, cargo ships will unload at the ports of Jebel Ali (UAE), Dammam, and Al Jubail (Saudi Arabia). While in transit via Riyadh, they will be sent to Jeddah and beyond.

The prospects for this project are still uncertain, as the use of both sea and land transport increases both the time and cost of delivery. We have observed this when considering the corridor from India to Israel, as well as from the UAE to Israel.

The complexity of transportation will logically lead to higher costs, but it will still be more viable than circumnavigating Africa. Additionally, we must not forget that shipping through the Red Sea, although reduced, has not ceased entirely, which raises questions about the feasibility of the project.

 

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