- Red Sea Tensions Rise as Houthis Expand Naval Blockade.
- Houthi Rebels Escalate Attacks, Target Global Shipping Firms.
- Greek-Owned Ships Attacked as Houthis Step Up Campaign.
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has announced that it will now target all merchant ships linked to any company that does business with Israeli ports, no matter their nationality. This marks a significant escalation in their campaign against Israel, reports AP.
Escalation in the Red Sea Amid Gaza Conflict
With backing from Iran, the Houthis have started attacking merchant vessels in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. They assert that these actions are a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their assaults have caused significant disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for the annual transportation of goods worth approximately $1 trillion.
Announcement of Fourth Phase of Naval Blockade
In a statement late Sunday, the Houthis announced they had “decided to escalate their military support operations and begin implementing the fourth phase of the naval blockade” against Israel. They further warned: “All ships belonging to any company that deals with the ports of the Israeli enemy, regardless of the nationality of that company, and in any location within the reach of our armed forces,” would be targeted.
The group made it clear that these vessels would face attacks regardless of their destination. They called on nations to put pressure on Israel to put an end to the war in Gaza and lift the blockade on Palestinian territories, warning that this escalation could be avoided if such pressure were applied.
Recent Attacks on Greek-Owned Ships
Earlier this month, the Houthis launched attacks that resulted in the sinking of two Greek-owned bulk carriers flying the Liberian flag, the Magic Seas and the Eternity C. The assault on the Eternity C tragically claimed the lives of four crew members and left 11 others captured, while all 22 crew members aboard the Magic Seas were rescued just in time before the ship went down.
Over 100 Ship Attacks Since 2023
From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. Although the attacks paused briefly during a ceasefire, the group soon found itself under a weeks-long airstrike campaign ordered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. Deal to End Airstrikes
In May, the U.S. managed to broker a deal with the Houthis to stop airstrikes in exchange for a halt to attacks on shipping. However, the Houthis made it clear that this agreement didn’t include stopping attacks on vessels they view as aligned with Israel.
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Source: AP
