Houthi rebels in Yemen have responded with threats to resume attacks on vessels in the Red Sea after Israel cut off electricity supplies to Gaza this weekend and stopped the movement of all aid supplies into the war-torn region a week ago.
The Houthi militia group, which previously targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea in support of Hamas in Gaza, posted a video on its telegram channel issuing an ultimatum on 8 March. It called for Israel to allow aid to flow freely to Gaza within four days or it would resume naval operations against the “Israeli enemy”.
The channel broadcast a second warning video on 9 March showing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea over the past two years. The videos included footage of the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader and missile and drone attacks on several ships transiting the region during the period.
This comes after the Houthi group officially announced that it was halting its attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on 19 January.
Major shipping lines that had diverted their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope as an alternative to transiting the risky Red Sea and Suez Canal region during the 14 months of attacks have not yet reverted to their original routes. This is because concerns remain that attacks could resume at any time due to the fragile ceasefire agreement and unstable political situation in the region.
