[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]The Houthi movement in Yemen, which is not officially recognized as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, has declared its intention to target all ships heading to Israel, irrespective of their nationality.
The group, aligned with Iran, has heightened the risk of a regional conflict amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The Houthis have previously attacked and seized ships with Israeli links in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical sea lane for global oil shipments. They have also launched ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel, citing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Israel views these ship attacks as “Iranian acts of terrorism” with implications for international maritime security.
Read more : Yemeni Houthis Capture Israeli Vessel In Red Sea
A Houthi military spokesperson announced a ban on all ships bound for Israeli ports in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, warning that they would become targets for Houthi forces if Gaza does not receive necessary supplies. The group’s actions are part of broader hostilities within the “Axis of Resistance,” aligning with Iran, targeting Israeli and U.S. interests since Hamas initiated attacks on Israel in October.
Recent incidents involved three commercial vessels attacked in international waters, leading to intervention by a U.S. Navy destroyer. In a previous event, the Houthis seized a British-owned cargo ship linked to an Israeli company. While the U.S. and the UK have condemned these attacks and implicated Iran in supporting the Houthis, Tehran asserts that its allies act independently. Saudi Arabia has urged the U.S. to exercise restraint in responding to these incidents.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
