At the beginning of November, one piece of news did not make the headlines: The Houthi rebels in Yemen declared an end to their attacks on maritime interests (ships, harbours) with links to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Since the ceasefire between the USA and the Houthis brokered by Oman in May, the militia's attacks have in any case been limited to ships with an Israeli connection.

However, very few shipping companies trusted this promise - due to the pronounced inaccuracy of the Huthis' weapon control - and continued to send their freighters on the long route around the Cape of Good Hope. This was probably much more profitable than a Suez passage. The Suez Canal Authority is eagerly awaiting a revival of these passages, as this is one of Egypt's major sources of income.

The new situation was made public in a letter from the newly appointed Houthi Chief of Staff, Major General Yousef Hassan Al Madani. His predecessor, Major General Mohammed Al Ghamari, widely known as the architect of the anti-shipping campaign and the missile attacks on Israel, was killed in an airstrike on 28 August along with the Prime Minister and most of the cabinet.

On the one hand, the loss of the leadership team may have led to this ceasefire declaration - but perhaps also the effects of Israeli and US airstrikes on their missile and drone arsenal. Possibly also a few enormous chance discoveries in the Houthi arms supply chain from Iran and China.

It remains unclear why the Houthis chose the path of peace rather than invoking the threat of external enemies, which would have strengthened loyalty within their own country. Possibly because this path alone promises the Houthis economic advantages from Saudi Arabia and other states - which, for example, enables them to pay outstanding salaries to their followers.

It's the money - stupid.