What is the Red Sea crisis?
The Red Sea crisis is the disruption of global shipping caused by Houthi attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait — the chokepoint linking the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean. The Houthis, a Yemeni armed movement aligned with Iran, have framed the attacks as a response to the war in Gaza and the wider Iran–US war.
The latest in 2026
After pausing attacks following the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire, the Houthis declared a renewed ban on Israeli-linked shipping in June 2026 as fighting between Israel and Iran reignited. Daily traffic through the strait has remained far below pre-crisis levels, with many shippers still avoiding the route. The threat is volatile and conditional on the broader regional war. For the Yemen dimension, see our Yemen war briefing.
Why it matters for the global economy
Roughly 12% of global trade and a large share of Europe–Asia container traffic normally passes through the Suez–Red Sea route. When ships divert around the Cape of Good Hope instead, voyages lengthen by 10–14 days, raising freight costs, insurance and delivery times. Combined with the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the disruption has compounded pressure on global oil and supply chains.
How it connects to the wider war
The Red Sea front is one node in a linked regional system that includes Iran's attacks on US bases, the Lebanon–Israel front and the Israel–Gaza war. Escalation in one arena tends to ripple to the others.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Are the Houthis still attacking ships in 2026?
The Houthis paused attacks after the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire but declared a renewed ban on Israeli-linked shipping in June 2026 as the Iran–Israel war reignited. The threat is active and conditional on the wider conflict, and Red Sea traffic remains well below normal.
Why are the Houthis attacking Red Sea shipping?
The Houthis have framed the attacks as a response to the war in Gaza and the broader Iran–Israel confrontation, targeting vessels they associate with Israel and its partners along the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
How does the Red Sea crisis affect global trade?
It disrupts the Suez–Red Sea route that carries roughly 12% of global trade. Ships diverting around southern Africa add 10–14 days per voyage, raising freight, insurance and delivery costs worldwide.
What is the Bab el-Mandeb strait?
It is the narrow chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean — the maritime gateway to the Suez Canal, and the focus of Houthi attacks.