SANAA: Tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden escalated as Houthi militias in Yemen have warned on Thursday, to expand naval attacks to the Indian Ocean. The move aims to disrupt the passage of Israeli, American, and British ships, according to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in a televised speech.
Al-Houthi vowed to bolster his group’s military capabilities, emphasizing their determination to halt shipping in the Indian Ocean near southern Africa until the blockade of Gaza is lifted and the Israeli conflict ceases.
During a rally in Sanaa, the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, reiterated the Houthis’ objective to prohibit Israeli ships from accessing the Indian Ocean.
Amidst conflicting reports regarding an alleged missile attack on a cargo ship near Hodeidah, two British organizations, Ambrey and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), confirmed the vessel’s safety and the survival of its crew. The ship, initially believed to have been targeted, showed no signs of damage upon inspection.
Although the vessel was previously listed as Israeli-owned, it changed ownership in February 2024, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
In response to the escalating threats, the US Central Command announced on Friday that it had destroyed nine Houthi missiles and two drones in preemptive strikes. The Command revealed that Houthi fighters had fired anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, posing a direct threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships.
These actions are part of efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of international waters for US Navy and merchant vessels.
