Yemen’s Houthi rebels, seeking to halt Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, have repeatedly targeted vessels in the Red Sea.
ADVERTISEMENTYemen’s Houthi rebels warned on Wednesday that “any Israeli vessel” passing through nearby waters would now be a target for attacks should Israel not lift its blockade of food and aid to the Gaza Strip.
Their statement, from the Houthis’ Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre, said that the actions taken by the Houthi military aimed to “pressure the Israeli usurper entity to reopen the crossings to the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of aid, including food and medical supplies.”
It added the group’s actions stemmed from a “deep sense” of responsibility toward the Palestinian people.
The Houthis, seeking to stop Israel’s offensive in Gaza, have repeatedly attacked cargo ships in the waters connecting Asia with Europe and the US.
The rebels have previously adopted a broad definition of Israeli-linked ships, raising concerns that other vessels may also be targeted in the process.
The group specified that the warning applies to ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea, adding: “Any Israeli vessel attempting to violate this ban will be subject to military targeting in the declared operational area.”
Despite the announcement, there was no immediate sign of an attack on vessels.
The Houthi warning comes after Israel suspended all aid deliveries to Gaza this month, in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining Israeli hostages held in the territory.
The move has drawn strong international criticism, as Gaza’s over 2 million residents were already heavily reliant on international aid before the war, a dependence that has only intensified following Israel’s military offensive.
Maritime security firm Ambrey cautioned that the Houthis’ vague wording could place more ships at risk, stating that the threat “likely extends to ships partially owned, managed, or operated by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels heading to Israel and to ships of companies that call Israel.”
Although the statement did not contain a direct threat against the US Navy, previous Houthi operations have targeted American and Western warships, leading to some of the most intense naval combat seen since World War II.
US military officials said in a statement on Wednesday that they “remain vigilant”. “We will do what is necessary to protect and defend US personnel, assets, and partners,” they added.
The latest warning follows an ultimatum issued by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi last Friday, who vowed to resume attacks on Israeli-linked vessels unless Israel resumed aid deliveries to Gaza within four days. That deadline expired on Tuesday.
From November 2023 to January 2024, the Houthis attacked over 100 commercial vessels using missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors.
These assaults have significantly raised the Houthis’ profile, even as they face economic struggles and continue a crackdown on dissent and aid workers amid Yemen’s decade-long war.
