Iran-Backed Houthis Warn Ships to 'Prepare for Attack' in Email Alert

Photo :  AFP

On a warm spring night in Athens, a senior executive at a Greek shipping company received an alarming email warning that one of their vessels traversing the Red Sea was at risk of an attack by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia. This email, which also arrived at the executive’s business account, stated that the Greek-managed ship had violated a Houthi-imposed transit ban by docking at an Israeli port and would be “directly targeted by the Yemeni Armed Forces in any area they deem appropriate.” Signed by the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), the email asserted that the company bore responsibility for including the vessel on the ban list.

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This warning, received in late May, marked the beginning of an extensive campaign of threats against Greek shipping companies amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Over the following months, more than a dozen increasingly menacing emails were dispatched to at least six Greek shipping firms, with industry sources noting that the Houthis had launched nearly 100 attacks on vessels crossing the Red Sea since November. This escalation was part of the Houthis' broader campaign, expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has seen the militia sink two ships, seize another, and result in at least four seafarer fatalities.

The emails issued by the Houthis warned of “sanctions” on entire fleets if they continued to breach the ban and enter Israeli ports. One message, sent in June from a Yemeni government domain, stated, “Your ships breached the decision of Yemen Armed Forces. Therefore, punishments will be imposed on all vessels of your company ... Best Regards, Yemen Navy.”

The Houthi militia, entrenched in Yemen's civil war since 2014, has ramped up its military operations against commercial ships linked to Israeli, U.S., and UK entities, employing missiles, drones, and explosive-laden boats. This marked a shift in tactics, extending threats to Greek merchant ships with little or no connection to Israel. The emails have indicated a new phase in their military strategy, targeting entire fleets and increasing risks for all vessels navigating the Red Sea.

In August, the Houthis attacked the Sounion tanker, setting it ablaze for weeks before it could be towed to safety. The resultant spike in attacks has led to many cargoes taking longer routes around Africa. Traffic through the Suez Canal dropped significantly, from around 2,000 transits per month before November 2023 to approximately 800 in August.

Tensions escalated recently, with Iran firing over 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of militant leaders in Lebanon, further aggravating the already volatile situation. The European Union’s naval force Aspides acknowledged the changing tactics of the Houthis in a closed-door meeting with shipping companies. The force noted that the Houthis’ warnings to entire fleets signified the start of a “fourth phase” in their military campaign.

The Houthis’ email threats began in February, initially aimed at shipowners and insurance firms, indicating a travel ban on specific vessels without explicitly warning of imminent attacks. However, the tone shifted after May, with threats directed at whole fleets. Some Greek-operated shipping companies have opted to cease Red Sea operations, while others are reconsidering business with Israel to continue using this crucial maritime route.

Insurance costs have surged as the Houthi attacks have intensified, with some Western insurers halting coverage altogether. Greece-based Conbulk Shipmanagement Corporation halted all Red Sea voyages after its vessel MV Groton faced two attacks in August. Dimitris Dalakouras, CEO of Conbulk, emphasized that crew safety was paramount, stating, “Once the crew is in danger, all the discussion stops.”

Despite the risks, some companies continue to traverse the Red Sea due to existing long-term agreements with charterers or because it remains the fastest route to deliver goods to European and Asian consumers. Most Chinese and Russian-owned vessels, not perceived as affiliated with Israel, continue to operate through the area without facing similar threats or inflated insurance costs.

As tensions persist and the Houthi threats loom, shipping companies remain on high alert, carefully weighing the risks of navigating these perilous waters.