Houthis vow to increase attacks in Red Sea if terrorist designation goes into effect

The Houthi rebels Yemen They promised this Wednesday that they will intensify their attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea if they are finally classified as a terrorist group by the United States, a measure that would come into force on February 17.

“What comes after the designation will be worse than what came before”The Houthi Minister of Information, Dhaifulá al Shami, said at a press conference, referring to the attacks that the insurgents have carried out against dozens of commercial vessels in the strategic maritime passage since last November 19.

The rebel leader issued this threat three days before the designation of the group as terrorist comes into force, something that was announced by Washington on January 17 in response precisely to the attacks against this commercial route.

“Even if we are classified on all international lists, we are proud to be enemies of the United States and Israel, and we are not intimidated by their labels or classifications”said the Houthi minister.

He stated that since mid-November, they have launched a total of 34 attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen, of which 17 belonged or were operated by Israel; 14 were Americans and three others were British, although Washington claims that the majority of the attacked ships had no relationship with the Jewish State.

On the other hand, Al Shami assured that the Houthis They will continue their mobilization and recruitment campaign to confront “the Zionist enemy,” and indicated that the number of fighters of the Iranian-backed movement “has exceeded approximately 200,000.”

In recent months, the insurgents have released videos of military training on the ground, and have warned that they intend to move to the Gaza Strip to support the Islamist group. Hamas in his war with Israel.

In fact, after the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, the Houthis sent a letter that was not answered to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed bin Salmán, to ask that he let his fighters pass through Saudi territory.