Abstract

This study, entitled The Conflict in the Red Sea: The Houthis and the International Coalition, provided a scholarly analysis of one of the most complex maritime conflicts in the contemporary international system, in light of the strategic importance the Red Sea occupied as a vital artery for global trade and energy security. The research problem was represented by the escalation of the maritime conflict between the Houthi group and the international coalition, and its transformation from a local conflict linked to the Yemeni crisis into a direct threat to regional and international maritime security, which revealed shortcomings in the existing legal frameworks and public policies governing the protection of strategic maritime corridors. The significance of the study stemmed from the repercussions of this conflict on the stability of global trade, supply chains, and energy security, as well as from its representation of a contemporary model of the intertwining of geopolitical, security, and economic dimensions in maritime conflicts. The study aimed to analyze the political and security background of the conflict, identify the key actors and their interests, assess its implications for maritime navigation and international trade, examine the effectiveness of existing international legal frameworks, and propose innovative policies to enhance maritime security. The study relied on the descriptive–analytical method, supported by the case study and comparative approaches, while employing maritime security theory to interpret the dynamics of the conflict. The study proceeded from several hypotheses, most notably that weak regional and international coordination and the absence of effective enforcement mechanisms contributed to the persistence of maritime threats. The study reached several key findings, foremost among them that the conflict in the Red Sea transcended its local framework and affected global maritime security, that existing policies and legal frameworks were insufficient to confront non-traditional threats, and that multilateral regional cooperation constituted the most effective approach to strengthening the security of maritime corridors. Accordingly, the study recommended the establishment of a permanent regional platform for Red Sea security, the development of a binding regional agreement on maritime security, and the utilization of modern technologies for early threat detection, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable maritime security and long-term stability in the region.

Keywords

The Red Sea conflict, maritime security, international navigation, the Houthis, the international coalition