Houthis raise maritime security threat level

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia announced yesterday that it would target any ship sailing toward Israeli ports, regardless of its nationality.

Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sarea stated: “After our forces succeeded in enforcing their decision to prevent Israeli ships from navigating in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, we announce that we will prevent the passage of ships heading to [Israel] of any nationality, if food and medication do not enter the Gaza Strip.”

“We warn all ships and companies from dealing with Israeli ports. Our forces will implement this decision from the moment this statement is announced," he added.

Earlier today, the French military announced that on Saturday night (December 9), a French frigate in the Red Sea had intercepted two drones launched at it from the coast of Yemen.

In the statement, the French military said that the multi-purpose frigate ‘Languedoc’, operating in the Red Sea, had “intercepted and destroyed the two identified threats … 110km from the coast of Yemen, near to Hodeidah”. 

Yesterday, Israel's National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had informed the Biden administration that Israel would take military action against the Houthis if the United States failed to do so.

Meanwhile, arrangements are being made in the capital, Aden, in South Yemen, to develop the capabilities of the naval forces.

Earlier this week, President of the Southern Transitional Council and member of the Presidential Leadership Council, Aidrous Al-Zubaidi met with US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking. Al Zubaidi expressed the South’s readiness to participate in repelling the Houthi attacks and protecting international navigation if they are supported by the United States and other countries.

After a meeting with the commander of the Yemeni Navy yesterday, Al-Zubaidi said that the South’s naval forces are ready to deter the Houthis and contribute to securing international navigation.

 

Today, Al-Zubaidi met with the Yemeni Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Mohsen Al-Daari, directing him to raise the readiness of Yemen’s armed forces to the highest level, in anticipation of further Houthi attacks, and to ensure security for Yemen’s territorial waters.