Support for the end of the UN mission in Iraq is measured

The US Central Command has successfully thwarted a potential attack on ships in international commercial waterways by destroying four drones in an area controlled by the Houthi militia in Yemen. This latest military operation is part of ongoing efforts to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

The announcement from CENTCOM comes as Houthi officials issue warnings of expanding their assaults on ships if Israel does not halt its war in the Gaza Strip. Mahdi Al-Mashat, leader of the militia’s Supreme Political Council, stated that they will launch attacks on ships during the fourth phase of their campaign in support of Palestine, targeting ships in the Mediterranean until Israel ends the war and the blockade of Gaza.

Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, the militia’s leader, claimed that his forces had fired 211 missiles at Israel and carried out over 100 attacks on US warships in the Red Sea since the start of their campaign in November. He called on Iraqis to join them in supporting the Palestinian people and warned companies transporting goods to Israel that their ships would be targeted.

Since November, the Houthis have been responsible for destroying one commercial ship, capturing another, and launching numerous ballistic missiles and drones at commercial and warships in international shipping lanes near Yemen, particularly in the Red Sea. The attacks are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and have targeted US and UK ships due to their involvement in the conflict in Yemen.

Yemeni government officials have accused the Houthis of exploiting the anger over Israel’s actions in Gaza to bolster their support, recruit fighters, and justify their military operations across Yemen. Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, labeled the Houthis as a “rogue” force that poses a significant threat to regional and international security, citing their destructive actions in Yemen.

Yemen’s Prime Minister Ahmed Awadh bin Mubarak accused the Houthis of waging an economic war against the government by attacking oil terminals, disrupting trade routes, and banning the import of essential goods. He estimated that the economic impact of these actions has cost the Yemeni government billions of riyals since October 2022.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen, fueled by the actions of the Houthi militia and their supporters, continues to pose challenges to regional stability and the well-being of the Yemeni people. As tensions escalate and threats to maritime security persist, efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and promote peace remain crucial for the safety and prosperity of the region.