Houthis Escalate Tensions with Ship Attacks in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthis announced attacks on three ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, framing it as a naval blockade against Israel. The vessels targeted, registered in Liberia, were reportedly heading towards ports associated with Israel. The actions pose threats to crucial trade routes in the region.

In a direct escalation of regional tensions, Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacking three ships traversing the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, describing their actions as part of a broader strategy to enforce a naval blockade on Israel.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, in a televised message, stated that these ships were targetted because they were allegedly en route to Israeli-affiliated ports. Data from LSEG identified all three as Liberia-registered vessels, reflecting elevated risks in global shipping lanes.

The Houthis have vowed to sustain these aggressive measures unless Israel ceases its offensives in Gaza and Lebanon, highlighting a significant threat to commercial maritime activity in this vital corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

(With inputs from agencies.)