According to a report, u.s. strikes against houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday/Sunday were a response to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Reportedly, houthis have targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023 which the u.s. president said will not be tolerated. According to the report, he said that it had been more than a year since a u.s. flagged ship had sailed safely through the Suez Canal, which leads to the Red Sea. Reportedly, the Suez Canal is important for the transportation of oil and liquefied natural gas. Some say gold.
Houthis say they are acting in support of palestinians in Gaza but they have not confined their targets to israeli ships. According to reports, major shipping companies have been forced to stop using the Red Sea and use a much longer route