On August 15, Sinbad Navigation, a
private maritime security contractor, reported a close encounter between its
barge, SIAM, and two Houthi boats. One of the boats was armed, but the
situation did not escalate into conflict. Despite this, the encounter raised significant concerns among shipping companies
operating in the region.
The Houthis, despite promising safe
passage to Chinese and Russian interests, have targeted vessels from both
countries. China's significant military presence in Djibouti has not led to
direct intervention, leaving Western governments to manage the response.
The attacks on floating armories,
which provide armed guards for commercial vessels, signal a troubling shift in
Houthi tactics. Previously, armed guards on commercial vessels successfully
thwarted multiple Houthi attacks using unmanned surface vessels.
"This
new harassment of the floating armories suggests that the Houthis intend to
deny armed guards to commercial shipping to increase the effectiveness of their
attacks," according to Dryad Global's advisory.
The Red Sea's
strategic importance as a global shipping route makes these developments
particularly alarming.