Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen threatened to attack any ships heading for Israeli ports on Saturday, December 9. The Houthis have already attacked a series of ships since the start of the conflict in Gaza.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday threatened to attack vessels heading to Israeli ports unless food and medicine are allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip.
The latest warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters following a series of maritime attacks by Houthi rebels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
In a statement posted on social media, the Houthis said they “will prevent the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity” if humanitarian aid is not allowed into Hamas-ruled Gaza.
The Houthis have recently attacked ships they claim to have direct links to Israel, but their latest threat expands the scope of their targets.
Regardless of which flagships sail under or the nationality of their owners or operators, Israel-bound vessels “will become a legitimate target for our armed forces,” the statement said.
Increasing maritime incidents in the Red Sea
Last week, the Houthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including a Bahamas-flagged vessel, claiming they were Israeli-owned.
Last month, the rebel forces seized Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-linked cargo vessel.
“We warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports,” the latest Houthi statement said.
It added that all “ships linked to Israel or that will transport goods to Israeli ports” are not welcome in the Red Sea, a vital channel for global trade linked to the Suez Canal.
Beyond maritime attacks, the Houthis have launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel since deadly attacks by Palestinian armed group Hamas triggered all-out war.
The spike in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers at a meeting earlier this month to urge the rebels to cease threats to international shipping and to release the Galaxy Leader.
Malo Pinatel, With AFP
