Documentation released by the US military after the attack in Yemen, February 4, 2024/Reuters
The leader of the Houthis in Yemen, Abdel Malik al-Houthi gave a televised speech this evening (Thursday) in which he said that his organization intends to prevent the passage of ships on additional routes.
According to him, the organization will prevent the passage of vessels connected to Israel through the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
In a speech he said: "Our main battle is aimed at preventing ships associated with the Israeli enemy from passing not only in the Arabian Sea, the Red Day and the Gulf of Aden, but also in the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope. This is a serious step, and we have begun to implement the necessary actions for this."
According to the leader of the Houthis, since the beginning of the war, 34 members of the militia have been killed in operations that he says were carried out "in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war in Gaza".
The British ship sunk by the Houthis/Reuters
In the months since the start of the war, Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have caused disruptions in the global shipment of goods, forcing shipping companies to change their routes and switch to more expensive routes that surround South Africa.
The United States and Great Britain sent forces to the region to thwart the Houthis' effort.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said a few weeks ago: "We will continue to make it clear to the Houthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks, which harm the economies of the Middle East, cause environmental damage and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries."
However, the Houthis continue their attacks, and about two weeks ago caused the sinking of a British-owned ship.
They continue to carry out missile and UAV attacks. Tonight the Houthis launched a ballistic missile against ships from Yemen to the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea - this is what the Central Command of the US Army reported.
According to the report, the launch did not cause any damage to the vessel.
More on the same topic:
Houthis