Houthis Launch Ballistic Missiles in Red Sea, Raising Regional Tensions
Houthis launched ballistic missiles during an attack in the Red Sea.
Photo by Sohan Rayguru
त्वरित संशोधन
Houthis launched ballistic missiles in the Red Sea
Targeted a vessel
Claimed in support of Palestinians in Gaza
दृश्य सामग्री
Red Sea Shipping Lane: Houthi Threat & Global Impact
This map illustrates the strategic location of the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Suez Canal, highlighting the area of Houthi attacks and the critical global shipping lane affected. It also shows the alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope.
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परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Geopolitical significance of the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
Role of non-state actors (Houthis) in international security
Impact of regional conflicts (Yemen Civil War, Israel-Palestine) on global trade and stability
International law of the sea and freedom of navigation
Challenges of maritime security and international cooperation
Types of missiles (ballistic vs. cruise) and their strategic implications
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
Yemen's Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles during an attack in the Red Sea, targeting a vessel. This incident follows a series of attacks by the Houthis on commercial shipping in the region, which they claim are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The use of ballistic missiles escalates the threat to maritime navigation in a crucial global shipping lane and highlights the ongoing instability in the Middle East. Such actions have significant implications for international trade and regional security, potentially drawing in more international actors.
पृष्ठभूमि
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are an Islamist political and military organization that emerged in Yemen in the 1990s. They adhere to a Zaydi Shia revivalist movement and have been engaged in a civil war against the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014.
Their control over significant parts of Yemen, including the capital Sana'a and the Red Sea coast, gives them strategic leverage. Their recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea are framed as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
The recent Houthi launch of ballistic missiles targeting a vessel in the Red Sea marks an escalation in their campaign against commercial shipping. This follows numerous drone and missile attacks on vessels perceived to be linked to Israel or its allies.
These actions directly threaten maritime navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, crucial global shipping lanes connecting Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. The international community, led by the US, has responded with naval deployments and airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, aiming to deter further attacks and ensure freedom of navigation.
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Houthi movement and the Red Sea region: 1. The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, primarily operates from Yemen and adheres to a Zaydi Shia ideology. 2. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a key choke point for global shipping, connects the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf. 3. The recent Houthi attacks on commercial vessels are primarily aimed at disrupting oil supplies to European nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct. The Houthi movement is based in Yemen and follows a Zaydi Shia branch of Islam. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden (and subsequently the Arabian Sea), not the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Houthi attacks are claimed to be in support of Palestinians in Gaza, targeting vessels perceived to be linked to Israel or its allies, not primarily to disrupt oil supplies to Europe, although this is an indirect consequence.
2. In the context of maritime security and international navigation, which of the following statements about the Red Sea and its surrounding areas is/are correct? 1. The Suez Canal provides a direct sea link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, bypassing the African continent. 2. Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia are all littoral states bordering the Red Sea. 3. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees the right of innocent passage through territorial waters and transit passage through international straits. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct. The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, significantly shortening maritime routes. Statement 2 is correct. Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia are indeed countries bordering the Red Sea. Other littoral states include Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Statement 3 is correct. UNCLOS is the primary international treaty governing maritime activities, including the rights of innocent passage and transit passage through international straits, which are crucial for global shipping.
3. Which of the following statements accurately describes a ballistic missile in contrast to a cruise missile? 1. Ballistic missiles typically follow a parabolic trajectory, spending most of their flight outside the atmosphere. 2. Cruise missiles are generally unguided throughout their flight path, relying solely on initial launch parameters. 3. Ballistic missiles are primarily designed for precision strikes against moving targets, while cruise missiles are for area bombardment. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct. Ballistic missiles are characterized by their ballistic trajectory, which involves a powered ascent phase followed by an unpowered descent phase, often re-entering the atmosphere at high speeds. Statement 2 is incorrect. Cruise missiles are guided missiles that fly within the atmosphere, typically at constant speed and altitude, using jet engines. They are highly guided and can be programmed to follow complex flight paths. Statement 3 is incorrect. Cruise missiles are often used for precision strikes due to their guidance systems and ability to fly at low altitudes, while ballistic missiles, especially older ones, were more for area bombardment, though modern ballistic missiles can also be highly accurate.