Part 10/14:

Critics argue that the limited success of international coalitions underscores the difficulty of securing the Red Sea against non-state actors with limited command-and-control capabilities. The Houthis' partnership with Somali pirates further raises fears of coordinated attacks, including hijacking ships for piracy or smuggling, which could destabilize the region even more.

The Sociopolitical Dimension: Regional Instability and Proxy Conflicts

The Yemen civil war—begun in 2014 with Houthi insurgents seizing the capital—has long been a proxy battleground between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi-led coalition forces intervened in 2015, supporting Yemeni government forces, while Iran has supplied arms, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis.