Houthis Link Missile Attacks on Shipping to Gaza Conflict

Houthis Link Missile Attacks

VoM News Desk | February 27, 2024 | 11:25 PM IST | Palasteine, World | Follow on Google News

Houthis Link Missile Attacks on Shipping to Gaza Conflict

Houthis Link Missile Attacks on Shipping to Gaza Conflict

In a significant development, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have stated that they will only reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea when Israel ceases its “aggression” in the Gaza Strip. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam, responding to questions about a possible ceasefire deal, asserted that a reassessment would only occur if the siege on Gaza ends and humanitarian aid is allowed freely.

Conditions for Ceasefire: End of Gaza Siege and Humanitarian Aid Access

Mohammed Abdulsalam emphasized that there would be no halt to operations supporting the Palestinian people unless Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege come to a halt. The Houthis have consistently launched attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, citing solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza conflict.

Escalating Shipping Risks and Global Response

Repeated Houthi strikes have heightened shipping risks in the region, prompting responses from U.S. and British forces. Despite efforts to strike Houthi facilities, the attacks have persisted. Global container line Maersk has warned clients of disruptions in the Red Sea, urging longer transit times in supply chain planning. Seafarers have signed agreements for double pay in high-risk zones and the right to refuse sailing through the Red Sea.

The UK-registered car carrier Galaxy Leader, hijacked by the Houthis, highlights the escalating concerns. Families of detained crew members seek international action for their release. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization, calls for collective action to fortify seafarer safety and the release of the hijacked vessel.

Amid the tensions, the Houthis have issued a formal ban on vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and Britain. Yemen’s recognized government has warned of Houthi dangers, citing sea mines, drone boats, and missiles. The fate of the Rubymar, hit by a Houthi missile, remains uncertain, raising further concerns about the security and stability of the region.

VoM News Desk

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