Houthis again
After some time, they're back
This Friday, April 26th, the Houthis attacked another ship in the Gulf of Aden. This is another attack driven by the HAMAS-Israel war in Gaza. This attack is the second after a period of relative calm in the zone. Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed the attack Thursday night. The militants also launched missiles towards the Israeli city of Eilat. The US military mentioned the same day that coalition forces intercepted two drones in the Houthi controlled parts of Yemen after the rebels launched ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden. All these attacks also come after the US Department of State offered incentives to the Houthis to stop their attacks, like lifting the blockades of Sanaa and Hodeidah, and accelerating peace talks.
Source: Intel Republic
The attacks are driven by a desire of the Houthis to stop the war in Gaza. They have gradually expanded their attacks from Israeli owned ships to US and UK commercial vessels and warships. They have demanded Israel to stop the attacks in Gaza, threatening to continue their attacks on the Red Sea until that demand is met.
US Ship in the Red Sea. Source: @CavasShips
Saree reiterated the Houthis’ commitment to preventing Israeli ships or with Israeli links to pass through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. He also threatened to carry out more attacks against the Israeli city of Eilat.
Since last November, the Houthis have launched more than fifty attacks against international ships, sunk another and captured another. They have also targeted the city of Eilat previously. Several ships have been damaged.
The Houthis are part of the Axis of Resistance, an alliance leaded by the Islamic Republic of Iran, encompassing HAMAS, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iraqi Shia militias.
Houthi attacks have forced many vessels and ships to go around South Africa, increasing transportation time and prices.
Source: Slavyangrad
Possibly, the US and UK will carry out again airstrikes in Yemen against Houthis, as before. The US could also stop offering incentives to the militants, as retaliation for the recent attacks. Although the attacks have not stopped, the Houthis have decreased their attacks after these. The militants could launch more attacks, although in a decreased amount. This is because of the attacks by US forces and because of them constantly launching missiles in recent months.
In response to the airstrikes, the Houthis have escalated their attacks. They have specifically targeted ships linked to the Coalition. Shall more strikes come, they could double their bet.
However, it has been mentioned the US and Iran held talks in Oman three months ago. It was reported that there was an effort by Washington DC to convince Tehran to de escalate the Yemeni front.
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