Overview

• Yemen's Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has been attacking shipping in the Red Sea since November, causing major shipping companies to avoid the region and insurance costs to rise tenfold.
• The UK and US have responded with airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including logistical hubs, air defense systems, and military depots.
• Houthi attacks have increased 500% between November and December last year, leading to a significant disruption in global trade as 20% of the world's container ships are now avoiding the Red Sea.
• The UK's defence secretary, Grant Shapps, has urged Iran to tell its proxies in the Middle East, including the Houthis and Lebanon's Hezbollah, to 'cease and desist' as the world's patience is running out.
• Houthis have now threatened to expand their targets to include US ships, declaring them 'legitimate targets' due to the recent airstrikes by the US and UK.