ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 23, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 23, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Houthis Promise to Step Up Attacks, Use Submarine Drones
• EU Extends Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine, Moldova
• UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

Houthis Promise to Step Up Attacks, Use Submarine Drones

The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels has promised to step up attacks against cargo ships in the Red Sea and threatened to use submarine drones in future strikes. This came on the same day the group sent formal notices to international shipping companies and insurers declaring a ban on ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. The ban applied to ships owned by Israeli, American, or British individuals or entities or flying their flags. It is the first time the Houthis have formally notified shipping entities of their intended targets. The group has also threatened to utilize submarine drones for future attacks, which could be harder to detect and intercept for battleships operating in the Red Sea. Since the Houthis likely lack the resources to build such drones on their own, they are likely receiving them from Iran. The United States reported destroying a Houthi submarine drone earlier this week.

EU Extends Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine, Moldova

On February 21, European Union member states agreed to extend the suspension of import duties on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports to the EU by one year until 2025. The EU introduced these Autonomous Trade Measures in June 2022 to alleviate the acute pressure on Ukraine's economy in the early months of Russia's invasion. However, the EU included some carve-outs in the extension due to pressure from European farmers angered by the influx of cheap Ukrainian products. The extension will include an emergency brake mechanism that would reimpose tariffs on three key products - eggs, poultry, and sugar - if imports exceeded the average import volumes for 2022 and 2023.

UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

On February 22, the United Kingdom imposed additional sanctions on Russia to mark the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The measures notably target key sources of Russian revenue, including metals, diamonds, and energy.