Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that they would target U.S. warships if the United States were to target the Iranian-backed militia. This comes in response to the recent establishment of a multinational force by the U.S. and ten other countries to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, controlling significant territory in Yemen, have been launching drones and missiles at international vessels in the Red Sea, attributing their actions to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip. The U.S.-led security initiative aims to deter and respond to future Houthi attacks, which have led to major shipping route disruptions.
Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the Houthi leader, warned of retaliation if the U.S. escalates its actions, stating, “Any American targeting of our country will be targeted by us, and we will make American battleships, interests, and navigation a target for our missiles, drones, and military operations.”
The Red Sea crisis is linked to the broader conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, positioning the U.S. and its allies against Iran and its regional proxies. The ongoing war, which began on October 7, has seen increased attacks by Houthi forces in the Red Sea, impacting global shipping routes.
The multinational force, named “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” involves the U.S. along with Britain, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain. Joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden aim to address the escalating situation.
Al-Houthi warned against direct U.S. military involvement in Yemen, cautioning that they would face severe consequences. He emphasized that the Houthi forces are not intimidated by the U.S. and stated that any deployment of American soldiers to Yemen would result in a harsh response, likening it to past conflicts in Afghanistan and Vietnam.
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