Yemen's Houthi-led rebel government has announced its full backing for the group's armed wing, which vowed to target American ships in the Red Sea following the United States' entry into the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Houthis declared in a statement issued Saturday: "We affirm the Republic of Yemen's commitment to the armed forces' declaration that they were ready to target US ships and warships in the Red Sea."
This threat emerges just hours after U.S. forces launched a series of strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israel in what analysts describe as a dramatic escalation of the regional conflict.
Escalating Maritime Tensions
Houthi forces, aligned with Iran, have previously targeted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Saturday's statement significantly raises the stakes for commercial and military vessels transiting one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
The Houthi government framed the U.S. strikes as "aggression" and reiterated its support for "any Arab or Muslim nation under Zionist or American attack."
Security experts warn that the Houthis' involvement could further destabilize regional trade routes and potentially draw other Iranian allies deeper into the spiraling conflict.
In response to the heightened threat, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet has reportedly increased its presence in the Red Sea, anticipating potential retaliatory attacks from Houthi forces.
This development comes amid a series of related incidents, including Israeli strikes on Yemen following Houthi attacks on Ben Gurion airport, and the suspension of flights at Sanaa airport after Israeli military action.
The situation continues to evolve as regional powers maneuver in what has become an increasingly complex and dangerous confrontation spanning multiple countries in the Middle East.
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