Yemen’s Houthi rebels are ignoring the recent airstrikes by the US and UK. They promise to launch more attacks on Israel soon. The rebels control most of Yemen and have support from Iran. They have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and sending missiles and drones to Israel during the Israel-Gaza war.
On January 13, 2024, airstrikes were carried out in response to the Houthi attacks on the Red Sea shipping lanes. These attacks have disrupted global trade and threatened regional stability. The airstrikes targeted rebel-held territory and hit weapons depots, command centers, and air defense systems.
However, the Houthi rebels said that the airstrikes would not deter them from continuing their “holy war” against Israel and its allies. They claimed responsibility for several missile and drone attacks on Israel in the past weeks and vowed to launch more strikes soon. They also threatened to retaliate against the US and UK for their “aggression” and “crimes” against the Yemeni people.
The Houthi rebels are a Yemeni militia group that follows the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam. They emerged in the 1990s as a resistance movement against the Saudi-backed government of Yemen and have been fighting a civil war since 2014. They have an estimated 20,000 fighters and control most of the country’s west and Red Sea coastline.
The rebels are using their strategic location to attack ships in the Red Sea. They target ships they believe are connected to Israel or its allies. They have captured several ships. One of the ships is a car carrier chartered by a Japanese company and linked to an Israeli businessman. They have also kidnapped the crew. The rebels said all such vessels are “legitimate targets” for their armed forces.
The US, UK, and other countries are working together to protect ships and secure shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Warships, aircraft, and special forces from Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway, and Spain are involved in the operation. Major shipping firms like the Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and BP have redirected their vessels to avoid the risk of attacks in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels’ attacks on Israel have also drawn their main sponsor, Iran, closer into the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Iran supports the rebels with money, weapons, and political help. Iran is accused of giving the insurgents advanced weapons and technology. Iran wants more power and wants to challenge the US and Israel, and they are also fighting a proxy war against Saudi Arabia and its allies.
The Houthi rebels are defying the US and UK airstrikes and continuing their attacks on Israel. This is increasing tensions in the region. In response, protests and rallies are happening in their stronghold of Sanaa. Thousands of people are taking to the streets to show their support and solidarity. The rebels have said they are ready to face any challenges and sacrifices in their struggle for their rights and dignity.
