Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have intensified the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East with a declaration to continue their attacks on American and British warships operating in the Red Sea. This move, described by the Houthis as acts of self-defense, raises concerns about potential long-term disruptions to global trade and shipping routes.
The Houthi group’s military spokesperson announced that all U.S. and British warships partaking in aggression against Yemen would be targeted. This statement comes amidst heightened regional tensions, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has seen its effects ripple through the Middle East, including in Lebanon and Iraq.
In response to these threats and actions, the U.S. and U.K. have conducted large-scale air and missile strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. These operations are part of a broader effort by Western forces, including support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, to counter the threat posed by the Houthis in a critical global maritime corridor.
U.S. Navy’s warship USS Gravely is seen in the Baltic sea port city of Gdynia in what was described by officials as a show of support for the country as war rages in neighbouring Ukraine, Poland June 7, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
The Houthis have been targeting container vessels in the Red Sea, claiming their actions align with their support for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. In one notable incident, they fired missiles at the U.S. warship USS Gravely, although the U.S. military’s central command reported shooting down one of these missiles with no damage sustained.
The ongoing situation has led some shipping companies to suspend their transits through the Red Sea, opting for longer and more expensive routes around Africa to avoid potential attacks. The Houthis have declared they will continue their military operations until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza and humanitarian aid is allowed into the region to alleviate the crisis there.
