U.S. Maritime Advisory on Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Somali Basin
Houthi forces have conducted operations against commercial vessels in these waters since November 2023.
MIDDLE EAST — A U.S. Maritime Advisory 2025-012, issued on September 24, 2025, highlights ongoing Houthi threats to commercial vessels in these waters. Houthi forces have conducted operations against commercial vessels in these waters since November 2023, utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vehicles, ballistic missiles, and small boat engagements.
These activities have focused on ships affiliated with Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom, resulting in delays to maritime passages and risks to mariners.
U.S. military units have implemented countermeasures, such as airstrikes on Houthi facilities, to reduce hazards. Multinational collaborations, including the Joint Maritime Information Center, have disseminated directives to strengthen ship safeguards and alert mechanisms.
The bulletin underscores enduring vulnerabilities, with records indicating over 100 documented assaults since November 2023. Maritime administrators have adjusted paths around the Cape of Good Hope, prolonging voyage durations and expenditures.
Surveillance data reveals diminished Red Sea navigations, with international commerce interruptions appraised at $2.2 billion decline in Suez Canal revenues for the fiscal year 2023/2024.
Joint endeavors have apprehended Houthi munitions, but the organization preserves capacities through reported support from Iran, including weapons provision.
Acronym Index
AIS: Automatic Identification System
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
CMF: Combined Maritime Forces
HRW: High-Risk Waters
IMO: International Maritime Organization
JMIC: Joint Maritime Information Center
MARSEC: Maritime Security
MSC: Maritime Security Center
NAVCENT: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
NCAGS: Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping
SOLAS: Safety of Life at Sea
UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UKMTO: United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations
USV: Unmanned Surface Vehicle
UUV: Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
VHF: Very High Frequency
Incidents in 2025
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