Houthis To Now Attack All Israel-Bound Ships, Expands Target Area To Mediterranean Sea

Container ship — Image for representation purposes only

Yemen’s Houthi rebels stated this week that their naval operations have expanded to the Mediterranean Sea.

The group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, indicated that they targeted the Mediterranean as part of a larger effort to disrupt maritime routes heading to Israeli ports, a threat that was previously limited to the Red Sea.

A senior defence official revealed that the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) have weapons capable of reaching the Mediterranean, indicating a considerable increase in their operating range.

The YAF’s armament includes anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones, which are being utilized in unprecedented amounts for maritime attacks.

Despite these claims, there were no confirmed incidents in the Mediterranean this week, and Reuters could not independently verify the Houthi leader’s statement.

However, the Pentagon raised alarm about the Houthis’ capabilities and objectives.

The Houthi leader claimed that this was the fourth phase of their naval operations, which included targeting vessels transferring goods to Israel.

The Houthis claim to have carried out 40 operations against Israeli-linked ships and 100 against vessels in the Red Sea.

US defence authorities stated that since November, the Houthis had launched over 90 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing retaliation for Israel’s activities in Gaza.

The United States has launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to provide armed security to commercial vessels in these waterways.

The US and UK initiated air and naval strikes against Houthi missile and drone stockpiles in February, but their efforts have been limited in success.

Pentagon officials are collaborating with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to strengthen interdiction efforts against smuggled Iranian missile components to the Houthis.

The senior defence official stated they focus on multilateral efforts to improve data sharing and counterproliferation.

The Houthis’ violent actions have already caused significant disruptions in maritime commerce, forcing international shipping to divert around Africa and raising insurance rates.

Since November, at least 20 commercial vessels have been targeted by Houthi missiles and drones, killing three crew members and causing significant economic and environmental damage.

Saudi Arabia, seeking a political solution to the war, has restricted US military operations from its bases, hindering efforts to counter Houthi strikes.

The Saudi stance follows a UN-brokered truce in April 2022, primarily maintained despite subsequent escalations.

The expansion of Houthi naval activities into the Mediterranean demonstrates the rising threat presented by the Iran-backed organization, as well as the urgent need for international cooperation to secure maritime channels and prevent further escalation in an already unstable region.

Reference: Al-monitor

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