In a significant development adding a new dimension to the ongoing unrest in the region, Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a warning on Monday, declaring Israeli ships as “legitimate targets.” The statement follows the capture of the Galaxy Leader, an Israel-linked cargo vessel, on Sunday, and intensifies the rising tensions in the area.
The seizure of the Bahamas-flagged, British-owned Galaxy Leader, operated by a Japanese firm but connected to Israeli businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar, came just days after the Houthis had previously threatened to target Israeli shipping in response to what they perceive as Israeli aggression against Gazans.
Major General Ali Al-Moshki, a Houthi military official, asserted on the group’s Al-Massirah TV station that “Israeli ships are legitimate targets for us anywhere…and we will not hesitate to take action.” The Houthis, aligning themselves with the “axis of resistance,” have also launched drones and missiles towards Israel, marking an escalation in their confrontations.
Analysts predict that Houthi threats to shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically vital choke-point at the southern end of the Red Sea, are likely to increase. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam stated that the ship seizure on Sunday “is only the beginning,” promising further maritime attacks until Israel ceases its actions against Gaza.
Responding to the incident, the Japanese government strongly condemned the seizure of a Japanese-operated ship in the Red Sea. Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa mentioned that Tokyo is engaging directly with the Houthis and communicating with Israel. The international community, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran, is being urged to press the Houthis for the vessel’s early release and the safety of its crew.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office characterized the capture as an “Iranian attack against an international vessel,” an accusation promptly dismissed by Iran. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani emphasized that regional resistance groups act in the interest of their countries and denied any involvement in the incident.
The Houthi rebels, in a video released by their TV channel Al Masirah on Monday, showcased armed men descending from a helicopter to seize the cargo ship in the southern Red Sea. The capture of the Galaxy Leader and the subsequent threats from the Houthis add a layer of complexity to the already volatile geopolitical landscape in the region.
By AFP
