Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility on Monday for a missile attack on Israel and announced what they described as a full ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, as regional tensions continued to escalate.
“The Yemeni armed forces launched a barrage of missiles against sensitive targets of the Israeli enemy,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement.
Saree said the group was imposing a “full ban on Israeli navigation in the Red Sea”, warning that “any movement by the enemy will be considered a legitimate military target”.
“We will respond to escalation with escalation,” he added.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have repeatedly targeted Israel and shipping in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Gaza war, saying their actions are in support of Palestinians and, more recently, Iran in its confrontation with Israel and the United States.
The latest announcement comes as Israel and Iran exchange fresh strikes, raising fears of a broader regional spillover and renewed disruption to one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
Source: CNA
