On 17 March 2025, protesters held a large Houthi-sponsored protest in Al Barah (Hazm Al Udayn, Ibb) in solidarity with the Palestinian people, denouncing the US strikes in Yemen, and in support of Houthi actions against the 'Zionist enemy' in the context of the latest round of violence in Israel-Palestine. Houthi-affiliated political officials took part in the protest.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1. Summary

On March 17, 2025, a large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstration led by Houthi rebels proceeded peacefully in the Ibb region of Yemen. While the demonstration expressed condemnation of U.S. airstrikes on Yemen and support for Houthi anti-Israel actions, it concluded without violence, resulting in no direct supply-chain disruptions.

2. Supply-chain impact

• Continued Red Sea shipping lane tensions: Houthi expressions of support for anti-Israel actions maintain the possibility of Red Sea commercial vessel attacks, necessitating continued detour shipping between Europe and Asia
• Energy supply instability: Consolidation of pro-Iran Houthi forces within Yemen heightens regional tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns about increased volatility in international crude oil and LNG prices
• Regional logistics network vulnerability: Deepening political instability in Yemen's inland regions reduces stability of overland trade routes with neighboring Saudi Arabia, Oman and others
• Port operations risk: Deteriorating accessibility to Yemen's Gulf of Aden and Red Sea coastal ports necessitates seeking alternative logistics routes between East Africa and the Middle East

3. Watch points

• Additional Houthi maritime attacks: Trends in attempted strikes on commercial vessels near the Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb Strait within the next 2-4 weeks and international naval response developments
• U.S. retaliatory airstrikes: Assessment of damage to regional logistics infrastructure and escalation levels should the U.S. strike Houthi strongholds within Yemen