The Houthis Aren’t Just Rebels—They’re Naval Strategists

Palaemon Maritime
Mar 31
2 min read

In just 12 months, over 190 commercial vessels have come under attack in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

This isn’t piracy. It’s modern naval warfare—waged not by a rogue state, but by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement operating from Yemen’s western coastline.

Their tactics are sophisticated, their target selection deliberate, and their impact global.

As shipping companies reroute around the Cape and naval coalitions scramble to protect commercial traffic, a new threat landscape is taking shape—one that demands a tactical response from shipowners, CSOs, and operators.

⚔️ What’s Happening in the Red Sea?

Since late 2023, the Houthis have executed 190+ attacks against merchant vessels. These aren’t one-off incidents. They’re part of a coordinated campaign that includes:

Ballistic missile and cruise missile strikes
Explosive-laden drone boats
(USVs)UAV swarms
Commando-style boarding operations

Recent high-profile attacks include:

MV Galaxy Leader – Hijacked and diverted to Houthi-controlled port (Nov 2023)
MV Tutor – Struck by explosive boat and missile in a coordinated attack (June 2024)
Maersk Hangzhou – Targeted over two days by both missile and surface gunboats
MV Rubymar – Damaged in February 2024 and sank weeks later

🎯 Houthi Objective: Strategic Pressure, Not Random Chaos

This isn’t just about disruption—it’s about leverage. The Houthis have publicly stated they are targeting ships linked to Israel, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia in retaliation for regional conflicts, particularly the Gaza war.

But their attacks are not limited to flagged vessels. Any operator with commercial or cargo links to those nations has found themselves in the crosshairs.

The Rubymar bulk carrier was struck on February 18 2024 with multiple missiles

🛠️ Their Methods: Multi-Vector Warfare

What sets the Houthis apart is their multi-domain attack strategy—simultaneously deploying air, sea, and surface threats in ways that overwhelm traditional vessel defenses.

Here’s how the Houthis operate:

Missiles – Land-based ballistic or cruise strikes from the Yemeni coast
Drone Swarms – UAVs used to saturate or distract shipboard defenses
Explosive Boats (USVs) – Remote-controlled, fast-moving, and devastating at the waterline
Boarding Teams – Fast craft or helicopters used for hostage-taking and ship control

This is asymmetric warfare—but it’s highly professional and tactically effective.

🧠 Why This Matters to You

If you’re a Company Security Officer, Captain, or Fleet Manager, you’re no longer just managing piracy risks. You’re navigating a zone of state-backed insurgent naval warfare.

Razor wire and crew watches aren’t enough anymore. You need:

Real-time threat intel
Updated routing protocols
Scalable onboard defenses
Access to coordinated convoy options or escort zones

🚢 We’re Publishing the Full Report Soon

This article is the first in our 7-part series leading up to the release of Palaemon’s Threat Assessment: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Maritime Security—a 35-page intelligence report covering: