The Houthi movement in Yemen has begun targeting shipping in the Red Sea, posing a potential threat to global trade and potentially widening the conflict with Israel and its allies.

• The Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa, have fired missiles towards Israel and previously targeted shipping in the Bab al-Mandab strait.
• This renewed action by the Houthis, supported by Iran, could critically disrupt key global maritime routes like the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Experts question the extent of the Houthis' willingness to escalate further, noting that prior attacks faced significant retaliatory strikes from the US and Israel.