Yemen's Houthi rebels say 'any Israeli vessel' in nearby Mideast
waterways again a target
[March 12, 2025]
By JON GAMBRELL
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels warned shippers
early Wednesday that “any Israeli vessel” traveling through nearby
Mideast waters is now a target as Israel continues to block aid to the
Gaza Strip.
The warning from the Houthis again throws into chaos a crucial maritime
waterway between Asia and Europe, threatens revenue from Egypt's Suez
Canal and possibly will halt aid shipments to war zones. The rebels in
the past have also had a loose definition of what constitutes an Israeli
ship, meaning other vessels could be targeted as well.
The statement from the Houthis' Humanitarian Operations Coordination
Center follows a four-day deadline set by the rebels for Israel to
resume aid shipments.
“We hope it is understood that the actions taken by the (Houthi
military) ... stem from a deep sense of religious, humanitarian and
moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and aim to
pressure the Israeli usurper entity to reopen the crossings to the Gaza
Strip and allow the entry of aid, including food and medical supplies,”
the statement said.
It described the warning as taking hold in the Red Sea, the Gulf of
Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea.
The statement added: “Any Israeli vessel attempting to violate this ban
will be subject to military targeting in the declared operational area.”
There was no immediate sign of an attack on ships. Israel's military did
not respond to a request for comment.
Houthi warning comes as Gaza aid halted
Israel earlier this month halted all aid coming into the Gaza Strip and
has warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if the fragile
ceasefire in the war isn’t extended as negotiations continue over
starting a second phase of the pause in fighting. The move drew intense
international criticism as even before the war the over 2 million
Palestinians living in Gaza relied on international aid, something
that's only intensified after a grinding Israeli military offensive
destroyed the enclave.
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The maritime security firm Ambrey warned the statements from the
Houthis were “ambiguous,” likely putting more ships at risk.
It's “likely to have extended once more toward ships partially owned
by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels managed and/or operated
by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels heading to Israel and to
ships of companies that call Israel,” the firm said.
There was no direct threat made against the U.S. Navy, whose
Bahrain-based 5th Fleet patrols the Mideast. However, the earlier
Houthi campaign saw American and Western warships repeatedly
targeted, sparking the most-serious combat the Navy had seen since
World War II.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other ships associated
with its carrier group are operating in the Red Sea now. The U.S.
military said Wednesday that its forces in the region “remain
vigilant.”
“We will do what is necessary to protect and defend U.S. personnel,
assets and partners,” it said.
Houthi attacks on ships began in November 2023
The rebels’ secretive leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned Friday
that attacks against Israel-linked vessels would resume within four
days if Israel didn’t let aid into Gaza. That deadline passed
Tuesday.
The rebels had targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and
drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors during their
campaign targeting ships from November 2023 until January of this
year.
The attacks greatly raised the Houthis' profile as they faced
economic problems and launched a crackdown targeting any dissent and
aid workers at home amid Yemen's decadelong stalemated war that's
torn apart the Arab world's poorest nation.
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