The Yemeni houthis officially known as the Ansarullah group have vowed to reinforce a blockade on Isreali, American and British ships passing through Bab-El-Mandeb, a strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Eden, and in extension, the Indian ocean.
This comes after the US, in coalition with the U.K and Bahrain, began carrying out numerous airstrikes against the militant group on Yemeni grounds around midnight, 12th January, 2024.
The coalition claims that the airstrikes were done in “self defence” and in a will to “protect the national interests” of the countries involved, as was deduced from the statement by the Prime Minister of the U.K, Rishi Sunak, and in an official statement of the U.S respectively.
The Yemeni houthis initially imposed a blockade on Isreali-owned ships and ships heading to the Isreali territories:a move said to be in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance, Hamas, by seizing any ship that fails to heed it’s calls to halt and turn.
In a statement reported to have been made by a senior political official and spokesman’s for the Ansarullah group, Mohammed Al-bukhaiti, the group has included American and British ships in response to the US-led attack:
“Previously, we focused only on maritime shipping associated with the Zionist entity. Today, American and British ships will no longer dare to cross the Red Sea.” he said.
The group also affirmed that they will not hesitate to respond appropriately to all hostile threats as it is their right to self defence:
“The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that they will not hesitate to respond appropriately to all hostile threats within the right of our legitimate defense of our country, people, and nation.” a statement made through a verified X handle of one the leading names in the Ansarullah group, A’meed Yahya Saree’ .
Balogun Quam Bolaji reporting for iDeemlawful.
