Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened this Saturday with attacking every ship heading to Israelregardless of their nationality, amid an escalation of attacks and hijackings of commercial vessels in the Red Sea by insurgents.

The military spokesman for the Houthis, Yahya Sarea, has indicated in a statement that the insurgents “will prevent the passage of ships of any nationality that they target the Zionist entity,” and “will become a legitimate target,” unless they bring food and medicine to the strip of Loop.

“For the safety of maritime navigation, we warn all ships and companies that they do not deal with Israeli ports,” said the spokesperson, after which he highlighted the “full commitment” of the Shiite movement “to the continuation of the global commercial movement through the Red and Arabian Sea for all ships and all countries. , with the exception of vessels linked to Israel or transporting goods to Israeli ports.”

As is usual, Sarea indicated the imposition of this measure “as a result of the continued commitment of the enemy Zionist with perpetrating horrible massacres, genocidal wars and the siege against our brothers in Gaza”.

Following the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have launched several barrages of missiles and drones against southern Israel and also against ships flying the flag of the Jewish State or owned by Israeli companies in the Red Sea. Likewise, on November 19, they also confiscated the ship Galaxy Leader, which was transiting the Red Sea, and diverted it to the Yemeni port of Al Salif, where it remains today with its 25 crew members of different nationalities.

The ship has the flag of the Bahamas, is registered in the name of a British company that had leased it to a Japanese company and, according to the Israeli press, partially belongs to Israeli magnate Rami Abraham Unger, involved in the merchant marine business.

The Yemeni group controls the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the link between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, which represents a key point in world trade. In this sense, Mar Gámez, expert lawyer in International Trade Law and CEO of RRYP, explains that “this strait is of crucial importance”, since “it is located in a geopolitical zone in which the main powers are located, be they China, United States or even Japan.” “If we continue with these attacks, many will think twice, and oil traffic can be stopped“warns the expert.

They circulate there nine million barrels of oil daily on its way to Europe, and moves 30% of international container traffic. Óscar Vara, professor of Economic Theory at the Autonomous University of Madrid, points out that “the 12% of World GDP“. “The trip is approximately 30 days by sea. If maritime traffic had to be diverted via the Cape of Good Hope, we would have to add an extra month, therefore, costs would double“, alert.