Houthis link Red Sea attacks to Israel's Gaza aggression
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Yemen's Houthi rebels asserted that they would consider reassessing their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea only when Israel ends its aggression in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam, responding to questions about a potential halt to attacks in case of a ceasefire deal, stated, "There will be no halt to any operations that help Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege stop."
The escalation of Houthi strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November has heightened shipping risks. The attacks, described as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war, have prompted responses from U.S. and British forces, yet they have not successfully halted the attacks.
Maersk, a major global container line, advised clients to prepare for disruptions in the Red Sea, cautioning that these disturbances might persist into the second half of the year. Concerns about shipping safety have led seafarers to sign agreements for double pay when navigating through high-risk zones in the Red Sea.
Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the UK-registered owner of the hijacked car carrier Galaxy Leader, highlighted that the crew members from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania, and the Philippines had no connection to the Middle East conflict. The families of the detained crew have urged international action to secure their immediate release, reported Reuters.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, called for collective action to fortify the safety of those at sea and advocated for the release of the hijacked vessel, Galaxy Leader. The Houthis previously issued formal notices, terming a ban on vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and Britain from sailing in the surrounding seas.
Yemen's officially recognised government expressed concerns about Houthi activities, warning of sea mines, and the use of drone boats and missiles. The fate of the cargo vessel Rubymar, struck by a Houthi missile on Feb. 18 in the southern Red Sea, remains unclear, with the ship reportedly submerged and leaking fuel.