Yemen

The United States will once again consider Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels a terrorist group, U.S. media reported Tuesday, after previously dropping the classification in 2021.

The designation, expected Wednesday, of the Huthis as a "specially designated global terrorist" entity comes amid attacks by the group on shipping and military vessels in the Red Sea.

A Greek-owned tanker came under attack off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea on Tuesday, in an incident that is being attributed to a string of similar attacks by Houthi-led rebels. 

Brent crude oil prices rose two percent to $78.94 a barrel after the escalation of the situation in Yemen.

On Friday night, the US and Britain launched strikes against Yemeni Houthi targets in response to their attacks on international ships in the Red Sea. US West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures also rose in price.

Sustained attacks by Yemen's Houthis on vessels using Red Sea shipping lanes could have a "substantial" impact on economies and a knock-on effect on prices, a key Cypriot shipping industry group said on Thursday.

A multipolar world, subject to new predominant threats and global divisions, arises from the distribution of military and economic power and new agreements for providing military facilities to foreign countries.

Greece has advised commercial vessels sailing in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to avoid Yemeni waters, keep only the necessary crew on the bridge and follow alerts issued by maritime authorities to avoid attacks in the area.

Greek ship-owners control about 20% of the world's commercial vessels in terms of carrying capacity.

Ships sailing under the Greek flag or owned by Greek interests operating in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have been issued with an emergency warning to avoid Yemeni waters by the Greek Coast Guard.

The warning, issued on Saturday, follows the escalation in maritime attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on the world's main East-West trade route.

The US has launched a multinational effort aimed at safeguarding Red Sea shipping routes following increased attacks on merchant vessels. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made the announcement during his visit to Bahrain.

The Indian Navy has reported tracking the Bulgarian cargo ship "Ruen", flying the Maltese flag, after it was hijacked in the Arabian Sea. The vessel is believed to have been seized by Somali pirates, although their identity has yet to be confirmed.

An urgent response by an American warship saved the Central Park tanker and its crew, which included two Bulgarians, from perilous circumstances off the coast of Yemen. The vessel was targeted by armed attackers, prompting the intervention that successfully averted a potential disaster, as reported by American officials via Reuters.