The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, declared his intention to launch further attacks on Israel.
Al-Houthi specifically mentioned the possibility of targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the strategically crucial Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday.
The Iran-aligned group has gained prominence for its recent missile and drone attacks against Israel, raising concerns about the potential expansion of conflicts in the Middle East beyond the ongoing Israel-Hamas confrontation.
Having been in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, the Houthi rebels have become a formidable military force in the Arabian Peninsula, boasting a substantial force of fighters and a significant arsenal comprising ballistic missiles and armed drones.
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Controlling northern Yemen and the corresponding Red Sea coasts, al-Houthi emphasized their vigilance in monitoring and locating Israeli ships in the Red Sea, particularly in the Bab al-Mandab region and near Yemeni territorial waters.
In response to increased tensions, Washington remains on high alert for activities linked to Iran-backed groups, especially following the Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,200 people.
Simultaneously, Israel has escalated its offensive in Gaza, with Palestinian officials reporting over 11,000 casualties since the recent surge in hostilities.
Despite a lull in the Yemen conflict, marked by a reduction in active hostilities, both parties have failed to renew a United Nations-brokered truce that expired in October, leaving the situation in a precarious state of uncertainty.