The Houthis Align with Iran: Resumption of Attacks on Maritime Navigation

Two senior Houthi officials told the Associated Press that the group has decided to resume its missile and drone attacks against maritime shipping lanes and Israel, a move they described as being carried out “in support of Iran,” amid escalating regional tensions.

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One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the absence of an official announcement from the group’s leadership, stated that the first attack could begin “as early as tonight,” raising concerns about renewed disruptions to the strategic shipping corridors of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Houthis had previously suspended their maritime attacks under an arrangement with the Trump administration that included a halt to U.S. strikes on their positions in Yemen. They also ceased targeting Israel following the October ceasefire agreement that brought the main phase of fighting in Gaza to an end.

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Observers believe that the resumption of attacks could reignite tensions along international trade routes through which a substantial share of global energy supplies and goods transit, and could further broaden the scope of the indirect confrontation between Tehran and Washington. So far, no official comment has been issued by the United States or Israel, as regional actors await indications as to whether the escalation will remain limited or evolve into a broader round of confrontation.

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