Yemeni Houthi rebels announced their intention to attack all ships bound for Israel
The Houthis warned that they would attack all ships heading to Israel (photo: GettyImages)
The militarized group of Houthi rebels, operating in Yemen, has issued a warning that it will attack all ships heading to Israel, reports Reuters.
Amid the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants, the Yemeni Houthi group, associated with Iran, is increasing the risks of a regional conflict.
The Houthis have warned all international shipping companies against cooperating with Israeli ports and stated that they will attack all ships heading there, regardless of their nationality.
"If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces," said a statement from a Houthi representative.
He also added that this warning has an immediate effect.
Israel has stated that attacks on ships constitute an Iranian terrorist act with consequences for international maritime security.
The Yemeni Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-affiliated Axis of Resistance that targets Israeli and U.S. assets.
Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy ships
Recently, a U.S. destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted a drone that likely flew from Yemen towards Israel. Following the incident, the United States called on Iran to stop irresponsible and unprofessional drone flights near American military ships.
The drone incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened readiness in Washington for potential actions by Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, during Israel's military operation against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, a few days later, an American military ship and several commercial vessels came under attack in the Red Sea.
