The Oil Tanker Targeted by Houthis Last Year Passes Through the Red Sea

The Suez Canal announced that the oil tanker Crystalis, flying the Liberian flag and targeted by Houthi attacks from Yemen last year, passed through the Red Sea this week. This event is considered one of the first maritime voyages through this route since the cessation of attacks by this militant group. Shipping companies, many of which had suspended voyages through the Red Sea and rerouted their vessels around Africa to avoid Houthi attacks, are eagerly awaiting confirmation of security in the Red Sea since the Gaza ceasefire. Iranian-backed Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on commercial vessels since November 2023, sinking two ships. Following the Gaza ceasefire, they announced they would halt their attacks on international shipping lines. The militant group claimed to target vessels associated with Israel to support Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, but many of the vessels attacked had no connection to Israel. Egyptian Suez Canal officials welcomed the return of the Crystalis tanker, stating that this is the first time it has passed through this route since the attack on it in the Red Sea last July. Osama Rabie, head of the Suez Canal Authority, said, 'The return of this tanker to its route through the Suez Canal is a strong reassuring message indicating positive developments and the return of stability to the Red Sea region.' Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated in December that Egypt lost about $7 billion in revenues in 2024 due to disruptions in the Suez Canal.