Tensions in the Middle East are increasing. The Houthi rebels from Yemen speak out. Now there is a risk of a new escalation.
Sanaa – The situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate. At the same time as the war in Israel, tensions are also increasing in the Red Sea. There, the Houthi rebels are increasingly attacking ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and in the Red Sea. Large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the route because of the attacks.
Now the leader of the Iran-backed Houthi militia has warned the US against turning the Red Sea into a new theater of war. Abdel-Malik al-Houthi even openly threatened retaliation. “If the United States commits the stupidity of attacking our country, we will attack them,” he said in a speech on Yemeni television Al-Masira. This threat followed the announcement of an international military coalition to secure maritime trade in the Red Sea.
USA is arming itself in the Red Sea: Operation “Prosperity Guardian” is intended to ensure security
To better protect the important shipping route that leads to the Suez Canal, the USA has now begun forming a new international military force. Operation Prosperity Guardian aims to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the region. In addition to the USA, the coalition also includes Bahrain, France, Great Britain, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain. Germany is considering participation.
Houthi leader warns USA about new theater of war in the Red Sea
Abdel-Malik al-Houthi now made it clear that any American aggression against Yemen would be met with counterattacks. If the US sends soldiers to Yemen, they will be faced with something worse than in Afghanistan and Vietnam, said the Houthi leader. The group said it would continue to carry out attacks on ships that either belonged to or supported Israel.
In his speech, al-Houthi accused the news agency afp According to the US, the Red Sea is “militarized in the interests of Israel”. He reiterated that the Houthi attacks would only end when Israel ceases its actions and humanitarian supplies reach the population of the Gaza Strip. The USA had countered its support for the Yemeni people with humanitarian aid and threatened further measures.
Geopolitical significance of the Red Sea
The Red Sea and especially the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait are of strategic importance for world trade, as up to twelve percent of global trade passes here. The security of this shipping route is of great importance to both the regional and global economy. (cs)
Editor Christian Stör wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.