Houthis Declare Targeting of 196 Ships in Support of Gaza
In a significant escalation of hostilities in the region, the Houthi movement, led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, announced on October 17, 2024, that they have targeted 196 ships linked to Israel, the United States, and Britain over the past 11 months. This declaration was made during a speech broadcast on Al-Masirah TV, where al-Houthi emphasized that the Yemeni support front remains committed to aiding Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.
Al-Houthi detailed that this week alone, the Houthis launched 25 ballistic and winged missiles, along with a drone, aimed at supporting Gaza, which has been under severe attack from Israeli forces since October 7, 2023. He condemned the air and naval bombardment of Yemen by the US and UK, which has intensified in response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthis have claimed that their operations extend across various maritime regions, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea, targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships.
The escalation comes amid a broader context of conflict, with the Houthis asserting that US and British military vessels are now considered legitimate military targets due to the ongoing support for Israel's military actions. This situation has led to increased military tensions, with the US-led coalition conducting raids against Houthi positions in Yemen, which the Houthis respond to periodically.
