Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated on Sunday that three-quarters of U.S. shipping that would normally pass through the Red Sea is now forced to reroute via Africa’s southern coast due to ongoing Houthi attacks in Yemen.
In an interview with CBS News, Waltz explained that 75% of U.S.-flagged maritime shipments are now taking the longer route around Africa instead of passing through the Suez Canal.
He also noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump had decided to take a tougher stance against the Houthis, asserting that Trump’s administration handled them more aggressively than the previous administration under Joe Biden.
Waltz emphasized that “keeping maritime routes open and ensuring the continuity of trade is a fundamental part of U.S. national security.”
He further pointed out that the Houthis possess advanced cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and sophisticated air defense systems—all supplied by Iran.
For over a week, the U.S. has been conducting strikes on Houthi strongholds, marking the first such operations since Donald Trump took office on January 20.
Last week, the U.S. announced that its airstrikes had eliminated several senior Houthi leaders. Meanwhile, Houthi sources reported 53 people killed and 98 others wounded in the attacks.
