On 17 March 2025, protesters held a large Houthi-sponsored protest in Hujafah (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, large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations led by Houthi rebels occurred in Huzafa, Ibb Governorate, Yemen. The demonstrations condemned U.S. airstrikes on Yemen and supported Houthi anti-Israel actions, with participation from Houthi political officials, but proceeded peacefully with limited immediate risks.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Continued Red Sea shipping route instability - Houthis' reaffirmation of anti-Israel stance may sustain risks of attacks on commercial vessels around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
• Yemen inland logistics disruption - Ibb Governorate is a key transportation corridor in central Yemen, and potential expansion of demonstrations could have limited impact on inland transport networks
• Escalating Middle East tensions - Deepening U.S.-Houthi conflict structure increases global supply-chain uncertainty originating from the Middle East
• Energy transport risks - Continued necessity for crude oil and LNG vessels transiting the Red Sea to take alternative routes

3) Watch points

• Changes in Houthi maritime attack frequency - Monitor drone and missile attack patterns targeting Red Sea commercial vessels over the next 2-3 weeks
• Spread of demonstrations to other Yemeni regions - Track potential expansion of protests to major port and transportation hub cities such as Hodeidah and Sana'a