Yemen’s Huthis threaten to attack US ships if it strikes Iran

SANAA: Yemen’s Huthi rebels threatened on Saturday to attack US vessels in the Red Sea, despite a recent truce, should Washington get involved in Israel’s bombardment campaign against Iran.

Israel launched unprecedented attacks on Iranian nuclear and military sites last week, drawing retaliation from Tehran. The United States, a key Israeli ally, has been weighing getting involved in the war.

Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, whose group is backed by Theran, warned in a video statement that “if the United States gets involved in an attack and aggression against Iran with the Israeli enemy”, the rebels “will target its ships and warships in the Red Sea”.

The Huthis, who control swathes of Yemen, have launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and Israel-linked Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.

After pausing attacks earlier this year during a two-month ceasefire in the Gaza war, which was sparked by an October 2023 attack by Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas, the Huthis renewed threats to shipping in March over Israel’s aid blockade of the Palestinian territory.