The Iranian-backed terror group said its "sanctions" would be "reinstated against any aggressor state”.
January 20, 2025 11:57
ByJC Reporter, Jewish News Syndicate
Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia has signaled that it will continue striking ships linked to Israel until the final phase of the unfolding ceasefire deal.
The group's Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center announced that it was "stopping sanctions" on non-Israeli vessels, according to AP reports.
For Israeli ships, though, attacks will only be stopped "upon the full implementation of all phases” of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that went into effect on Sunday.
"In the event of any aggression ... the sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state," the statement added. "You will be promptly informed of such measures should they be implemented."
The Houthis have been attacking ships with connections to the Jewish State since November 2023. The Shi'ite terrorist organization said it would target all vessels operated or owned by Israeli companies as well as other ships bearing the "flag of the Zionist entity" in the Red Sea.
Around 100 vessels, mostly merchant ships, have been assaulted in the region in just over a year.
Some have been struck indiscriminately despite no obvious connection to Israel, while the militia also claimed it would be willing to target UK and US warships in the area.
During early 2024, the HMS Diamond shot down nine drones and a missile during a 151-day tour protecting other craft in the vital global shipping lane.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea called on all countries to withdraw their citizens working as crew members on Israeli ships, avoid working with Israeli freight carriers and steer clear of Israeli vessels.
The Houthis’ decision to target Israeli commercial vessels in the Red Sea was made in light “of what the Gaza Strip is being exposed to from the brutal Israeli-American aggression,” the terrorist spokesman added.
The Israel Defense Forces has also bolstered its naval presence in the Red Sea area following repeated missile and drone attacks from Yemen.
The final phase of the ceasefire is not expected for several months and will require a process of intense negotiation even to materialise in the first place.
Doubt has been cast on the future of the truce following the resignation of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is now calling for the war to restart.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since referred to the ceasefire as “temporary”, while members of the incoming Trump administration in the US have stated that Washington would support Israel in resuming hostilities if Hamas breach any element of the agreement.