The bold and fearless Yemeni Houthi rebels have once again made their presence felt on the global stage by targeting over 100 cargo ships in the strategic Red Sea and neighboring Mideast waters. Just days after President Donald J. Trump’s administration took a decisive stand by re-designating the Ansar Allah group, known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization, these rebels have threatened to reignite their aggressive campaign. The Houthis have declared that ‘any Israeli vessel’ remains a target of their terror activities.
From November 2023 to January 2025, their relentless attack campaign saw over 100 merchant vessels in peril, as missiles and drones zeroed in on them. This campaign resulted in the sinking of two vessels and the tragic loss of four sailors.
The Associated Press reported:
“The warning from the Houthis again throws into chaos a crucial maritime waterway between Asia and Europe, threatens revenue from Egypt’s Suez Canal and possibly will halt aid shipments to war zones. The rebels in the past have also had a loose definition of what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning other vessels could be targeted as well.”
This announcement follows a four-day ultimatum given by the rebels for Israel to resume aid shipments to Gaza.
“We hope it is understood that the actions taken by the (Houthi military) … stem from a deep sense of religious, humanitarian and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and aim to pressure the Israeli usurper entity to reopen the crossings to the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of aid, including food and medical supplies, the statement said.”
The threat now looms larger over vital regions like the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea.
Maritime security firm Ambrey has sounded the alarm about the broad definition the Yemenis have of ‘Israeli’:
“It’s ‘likely to have extended once more toward ships partially owned by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels managed and/or operated by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels heading to Israel and to ships of companies that call Israel’, the firm said.”
American and Western warships have faced their most intense combat since World War II. The U.S. military has stated that its forces in the region ‘remain vigilant’.
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