Houthis resume Red Sea attacks in October 2026, keeping Bab el-Mandeb transit risk elevated

On and before 24 October 2026 the Houthi movement resumed an intensified campaign of missile, drone and other attacks on commercial shipping and regional targets, prompting trackers and maritime advisories to rate Red Sea / Bab el-Mandeb transit risk as high and to record recent incidents through mid‑October 2026.

Renewed Houthi attacks raise conditional shipping-route risk: higher war‑risk insurance, continued diversion of some container services around the Cape of Good Hope, and ongoing naval escort requirements. The disruption primarily increases voyage times, insurance premia and logistics costs; it does not by itself imply sovereign debt repricing for African issuers, though countries dependent on Suez revenues or Red Sea transits face trade and revenue downside if attacks persist or escalate.

Next milestone: JMIC / UKMTO or MARAD update on regional threat level or a confirmed merchant-ship strike within 14 days.