On 17 March 2025, protesters held a large Houthi-sponsored protest in Shib ar Rawnah (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: Yemen Houthi Demonstration

1) Summary On March 17, 2025, a large-scale demonstration in support of Palestinian solidarity and condemning U.S. airstrikes was conducted peacefully in the Ibb region of Yemen under Houthi rebel sponsorship. This demonstration, attended by Houthi political officials, was held to support Houthi anti-Israel actions in the context of the current Israel-Palestine conflict. As a one-time peaceful demonstration, the immediate supply-chain risk level is low.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Continued Red Sea shipping risks: Strengthened anti-Israel and anti-U.S. sentiment among Houthi rebels may sustain threats to global container shipping and tanker operations through the Red Sea-Bab el-Mandeb Strait
• Energy supply-chain instability: Heightened political tensions within Yemen could indirectly affect the stability of oil and gas transportation routes in the Middle East region
• International sanctions risk: If demonstrations supporting Houthi activities lead to strengthened Yemen-related sanctions by the international community, additional constraints on regional trade and logistics networks may occur
• Regional logistics hub impact: Concerns over increased overland transportation costs due to enhanced Yemen-related security measures by neighboring logistics hub countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE

3) Watch points

• Changes in Houthi maritime attack patterns: Need to monitor whether the frequency or intensity of Red Sea merchant vessel attacks increases following the demonstration and track response measures by the international shipping industry
• Escalating military tensions between U.S. forces and Houthis: Need to track risks of regional logistics disruption due to additional U.S. airstrikes or Houthi retaliatory attacks