How Houthi shipping attacks could make everyday items more expensive | DW News

The US has announced the creation of a multi-national task force to help protect ships travelling through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes – the Red Sea.

Several major companies have halted shipping through the Rea Sea and are already considering new routes while insurers could soon raise rates. This follows an increase in attacks by Houthi fighters from Yemen. The Red Sea route connects trade between Asia and Europe for consumer goods and commodities like oil and liquefied natural gas. The Houthi militants – who are backed by Iran – have attacked and seized several ships in the Red Sea since October, claiming that the vessels were 'linked' to Israel.

We look at the motives of the Houthi rebels and what their involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas could mean for the wider region. And we look at what knock on effects could impact economies around the world, and which industries are most vulnerable to price spikes.

For more on this, we talk to Middle East analyst Asher Orkaby. He is a research associate and instructor at Harvard University.

And we talk to Jan Ninnemann, Professor at the Hamburg School of Business Administration.

#RedSea #Houthi #Israel

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