Former Yemeni Minister Urges Mobilization of Western Coast Fronts to Disrupt Alleged Saudi-Houthi Deal

A former Yemeni minister has called for the mobilization of Western Coast fronts to disrupt an alleged "Omer deal" between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels, warning of dire consequences if no action is taken. The call comes amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea, with recent Houthi attacks targeting ships, including a U.S.-owned cargo vessel and a UK-flagged bulk carrier.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. drone over Yemen and have intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait since November 2023, targeting Israeli-linked ships. In response, the U.S. and Britain launched a joint military operation in January 2024, conducting air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Following the U.S.-UK operation, the Houthi group vowed retaliation and expanded its targeting to include American and British commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Last month, a UK-owned ship, the Belize-registered Rubymar, was attacked by Houthi militants and has now sunk in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. military.

Why this matters: The sinking of the Rubymar, which was carrying about 21,000 metric tons of hazardous fertilizer, poses a significant risk to marine life in the region due to the potential release of the cargo. Experts have called for an urgent plan to monitor and clean up the polluted areas in the Red Sea, as the release of the fertilizer could lead to eutrophication and harm the ecosystem, which includes pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life.

The European Union has announced it will start a naval mission in the Red Sea to defend international maritime traffic from Houthi attacks, joining the U.S. and other nations with naval presences in the region. Experts say the increase in Houthi attacks demonstrates that the group is unaffected by U.S. terror sanctions or U.S. and UK strikes, and that the Red Sea tensions are unlikely to subside soon.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government has warned that the sinking of the Rubymar is an "environmental catastrophe" and a "new tragedy" for the country. The Houthi attacks on commercial ships have forced shipping firms to take longer routes, disrupting global trade and forcing firms to re-route to more expensive journeys around southern Africa.

Key Takeaways

• Former Yemeni minister calls for mobilizing Western Coast to disrupt "Omer deal"
• Houthis claim attacks on US drone, Israeli-linked ships in Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab
• US, UK launch joint military operation against Houthi targets in Yemen in Jan 2024
• Sinking of UK-owned ship Rubymar poses environmental risk in Red Sea due to cargo
• EU to start naval mission in Red Sea to defend maritime traffic from Houthi attacks