Yemen’s Houthis Announce Resumption of Attacks on Israeli Shipping
Yemen’s Houthis plan to resume attacks on Israeli ships, citing solidarity with Palestinians. This follows over 100 previous maritime attacks since November 2023, disrupting global trade. The U.S. has re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization amid these tensions.
On Tuesday, Yemen’s Houthi movement announced its intention to resume attacks on Israeli vessels navigating through the Red and Arabian Seas, as well as the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. This decision marks the end of a temporary cessation of hostilities that began in January, following a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Houthis had previously conducted over 100 attacks on vessels from November 2023, claiming these actions were expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing conflict involving Hamas in Gaza. Their offensive resulted in the sinking of two ships, the seizure of another, and the loss of at least four seafarers, significantly disrupting global shipping operations and necessitating longer and costlier navigation routes around southern Africa.
The Houthi leadership articulated a stern warning that they would activate their naval operations against Israel unless a blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza was lifted within a four-day period. This ultimatum followed Israel’s blockage of aid trucks into Gaza on March 2, during escalating tensions related to the truce. In a statement, the group remarked, “This ban will remain in effect until the crossings to the Gaza Strip are reopened and humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, is allowed to enter,” indicating an immediate implementation of the ban.
In light of these developments, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed its classification of the Houthi movement as a “foreign terrorist organization” following President Donald Trump’s directives earlier this month. In January, the re-designation aimed to enforce stricter economic sanctions on the group due to its attacks against commercial vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the strategically vital Red Sea region.
The Houthi movement’s decision to resume attacks on Israeli ships signals a resurgence of hostilities and an ongoing commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause amid the Gaza conflict. The operational repercussions include potential disruptions in global shipping and international pressures as the United States maintains its designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. The broader implications of this renewed aggression on maritime security and humanitarian efforts in Gaza remain to be observed.
Original Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
Post Comment