Houthi RebelsThreatento Attack Israeli Ships in Mediterranean

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on Israel-bound shipping, threatening to strike vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, announced on Friday that the group will immediately begin targeting any ships heading to Israeli ports in the Mediterranean that are within their range.

Why this matters: The Houthi rebels' threat to attack Israeli ships in the Mediterranean poses a significant risk to global trade and regional stability, as it could disrupt the flow of goods and energy resources through this criticalwaterway. Furthermore, this escalation could draw in other regional powers and exacerbate tensions between Iran and its rivals.

The Houthis claim they are acting in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Saree stated,"It involves the targeting of all ships that violate the ban on Israeli navigation and that head to the ports of occupied Palestine from the Mediterranean Sea in any reachable area within our ample zone."

Since November, the Houthi rebels have launched scores ofdrone and missile attackson shipping in the Red Sea, prompting retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and Britain. An international naval coalition has also been formed to protect the crucial trade route. The rebels control large swathes of Yemen, including much of its Red Sea coast.

Experts say the Houthi arsenal includes ballistic missiles with a range of 1,600 to 1,900 km and Iranian Shahed-136 drones capable of traveling up to 2,000 km. However, with Israel's Mediterranean ports lying about 2,000 kilometers from northern Yemen, it remains unclear how much of a threat the Houthis will pose to Israeli shipping.

The Houthis have previously threatened to extend their attacks to the Indian Ocean and vessels taking detours around southern Africa to avoid the Yemeni coast. However, their main focus has remained on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The escalation of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping underscores the growingrisksposed by the Yemen conflict to regional stability and global trade.

Key Takeaways

• Houthis threaten to attack Israeli-bound ships in the Mediterranean.
• This escalation poses a risk to global trade and regional stability.
• Houthis claim to act in support of Palestinians amid Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Houthis have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping.
• Uncertainty remains about the range and effectiveness of Houthi arsenal.