G7 urges Houthis to halt attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Houthi movement in Yemen has intensified its military campaign over the past several weeks, advancing along the country's Red Sea coastline with the stated objective of seizing control of the entire shore. The offensive, which has involved artillery strikes, naval mines and the deployment of small fast‑attack vessels, targets key ports and shipping lanes that connect the Suez Canal to the Gulf of Aden, a corridor through which a substantial share of the world’s maritime trade passes.

Analysts say the Houthi push threatens the uninterrupted flow of commercial cargo and raises the risk of disruptions to oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, factors that have already contributed to a measurable rise in global energy prices. International naval forces monitoring the area have increased patrols, while shipping companies are considering route diversions to mitigate potential losses. The evolving situation underscores the strategic importance of the Red Sea for global trade and the broader implications of regional instability on commodity markets.