It is a second war which is taking place in parallel with the conflict in the Middle East. 2,000 km south of Israel, in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen, Israeli ships and those of their allies are targeted by rebels in solidarity with the Palestinians. And the attacks are increasing.
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The United States denounces attacks “provocative and dangerous“, “a direct threat to international trade and maritime security”. On Sunday, three cargo ships were targeted by missiles and drones as they passed off the Yemeni coast in international waters. The attack lasted several hours. It was an American destroyer which came to their aid by shooting down three drones above the sea. In the end the boats only suffered slight material damage and there were no casualties.
Earlier in the day, according to the maritime security company Ambrey, a British cargo ship was hit by rocket fire about thirty kilometers off the coast of Mocha. The crew protected themselves by retreating to a secure area of the boat. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) advises vessels in the shipping zone to “exercise caution”.
“Until the aggression against Gaza stops”
This is the first time that several ships have found themselves targeted at the same time by a single assault by the Houthi rebels, who also published a press release after their attack. “We will continue to target Israeli ships“, they say”until the Israeli aggression against our brothers in the Gaza Strip ceases.”. In November they also seized the Galaxy Leader, which was transporting cars, owned by a British company owned by an Israeli businessman.
If Yemen’s Houthi rebels support Palestinians in Gaza, it’s pbecause this Shiite armed group, which has been opposing loyalist forces in Yemen for more than ten years, is also part of the “axis of resistance” against Israel – like the Palestinian Hamas or the Lebanese Hezbollah. Like them, they are financed by Iran which, over the years, has helped them to expand and professionalize.
The United States ready to retaliate
Today the 30,000 Houthi fighters have at their disposal the latest equipment, drones, armored vehicles, helicopters, and even long-range missiles. A few weeks ago, they fired a whole salvo towards Eilat, in Israel, more than 2,000 kilometers away. The message is clear, it is about establishing their influence, establishing themselves as a strong actor in Yemen (where they already control the capital Sanaa) and in the region, even if they know that their attacks are not going to change the balance of power. It is also deterrence, by proving that Iran and its allies have the means to reach southern Israel and control the Red Sea, a strategic route through which 40% of world maritime trade passes.
Is there a risk of the conflict widening? TIt all depends on how far the Houthis plan to go. So far they have not caused any human casualties or specifically targeted American ships in the Red Sea.
Which represents the line not to be crossed which would lead to a military response, an uncontrollable spiral – the United States has already said that it “considered all appropriate responses” attacks and are ready, as we know, to strike Iran on its soil.