Houthis Threaten to Attack Any Israeli Vessel Sailing in the Red Sea

Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, announced today, Monday, that Israeli navigation in the Red Sea is banned, and threatened that any Israeli target sailing in the sea would be attacked by their forces. Saree said the move comes in response to "Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Iran and Gaza" after taking responsibility for launching "a barrage of missiles toward sensitive targets in occupied Jaffa." He warned that escalation would be met with escalation, and that their actions would intensify according to developments.

Nasser al-Din Amer, a senior official in the Houthis' state office, also threatened to escalate the fight against Israel if it increases attacks against Iran. "Our declaration of closing the Red Sea to the Israeli enemy was the first step," he said. "If Israel escalates then the steps will intensify, as happened during support for the Gaza Strip: the Israeli ships, then ships bound for Israel, and then ships belonging to the Israeli entity." He made the remarks in an interview with the Qatari channel Alaraby TV. "If other parties are involved in this war there will be additional steps," the senior official added. According to him, the Houthis remain "committed to the equation that protects the condition of the Islamic nation," and the launches toward Israel constitute "an act of support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese resistance."

This morning, the Houthis launched two missiles toward Israel. One of them triggered alerts in the central Israel area, and the other fell on its way down. More on this topic in the IDF: "Preparing for fighting lasting several days and even for an extended period". The IDF struck in Beirut, and Iran threatened to respond: "They understand only force".