Story perspectives

Houthi rebels vow not to target U.S. vessels

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Houthis Capture Islands

Houthi rebels told President Donald Trump they will not target U.S. vessels.
By Sept. 11, 2026 the Houthis had captured Mokha port and Perim Island.
They also seized Greater and Lesser Hanish and Zuqar islands, located 20 km from Africa.
The Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh over the weekend.
An Iraqi Shi’ite militia drone struck Saudi’s East-West pipeline on Sept. 10, likely disabling it for three weeks.

Summary

Saudi Launches Alliance

Saudi Arabia convened 14 nations to launch the Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance in July 2026.
Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue fell $7 billion in 2024 after Houthi attacks, reaching $4.67 billion in 2025-26.
Somalia recorded a 10-year high in piracy incidents in 2026, prompting a September anti-piracy bill.
Insurance premiums for civilian vessels have tripled as Houthi threats target commercial shipping.
Djibouti’s northern coast hosted nearly 94,000 Yemeni refugees after the September 2026 escalation.

Summary

EU Raises Aspides Alert

EU’s Aspides mission raised its alert level due to escalating Houthi threats in Red Sea.
EU chief Kaja Kallas discussed steps with Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan to restore navigation.
Kallas called the attacks unacceptable and warned they harm the global economy.
Pakistan announced unconditional military support for Saudi Arabia under its mutual defence pact.
Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad urged the Houthis to avoid provocative actions.

History

Historical Context

The Iran-Iraq war’s 1984 “tanker war” began when Iraq bombed Iran’s Kharg oil terminal, prompting Iran to strike Kuwaiti tankers and leading the United States to launch Operation Earnest Will in 1987, escorting re-flagged ships after Iraq carried out 283 attacks on merchant vessels. The 2026 Houthi capture of Mokha and missile strike on Riyadh echo that pattern, prompting a new fourteen-nation maritime defence alliance.

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Houthis Capture Islands

Houthi rebels told President Donald Trump they will not target U.S. vessels.
By Sept. 11, 2026 the Houthis had captured Mokha port and Perim Island.
They also seized Greater and Lesser Hanish and Zuqar islands, located 20 km from Africa.
The Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh over the weekend.
An Iraqi Shi’ite militia drone struck Saudi’s East-West pipeline on Sept. 10, likely disabling it for three weeks.

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