Yemen’s Houthi rebels today issued a stern warning, threatening to attack US and other warships in the Red Sea should Washington intervene in the ongoing conflict between Israel and their ally, Iran. This threat comes despite a recently agreed-upon ceasefire.
“If the US participates in an attack and aggression against Iran alongside the Israeli enemy, the Houthi armed forces will target their ships and warships in the Red Sea,” stated Yahya Saree, the rebel group’s military spokesperson.
The warning escalates tensions in the region, particularly as Israel and Iran have been in a state of conflict since June 13. US President Donald Trump recently declared he would take “two weeks,” “at most,” to decide on potential US involvement in attacks supporting its Israeli ally.
Houthi Actions and Regional Solidarify
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have conducted dozens of missile and drone attacks on Israel since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, asserting that their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.
They have also targeted vessels believed to be connected to Israel off the coast of Yemen, and subsequently, American ships, before reaching a ceasefire agreement with Washington in early May to halt US strikes.
“The Israeli enemy seeks to take full control of the region with clear US support and participation and is trying to eliminate the Islamic Republic of Iran, which it considers the biggest obstacle to the realization of its project,” Saree stated. “Therefore, any American attack and aggression supporting the Israeli enemy against Iran cannot be ignored.”
