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The Jerusalem Post

Yemen Houthi leader: No ships linked to Israel passed over the past week

 
 The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. (photo credit:  Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS)
The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023.
(photo credit: Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS)

Houthi operations in the Red Sea were "legitimate (ones) to help support the people of Gaza and lift the siege being imposed on them," according to a spokesperson for the terror organization.

The leader of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Tuesday that the group had been able to prevent Israeli-linked ships from passing through the Gulf of Aden over the last week.

"The Americans and the British failed to secure the passage of any ship heading to Israel. They were unable to protect these ships. They can no longer protect even American-British ships, and this is a real and major victory for us," Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech.

The Houthis, who control Yemen's most populous regions, have repeatedly fired on international commercial ships since mid-November. Their targets have been vessels with commercial ties to the United States, Britain or Israel, according to shipping and insurance sources.

"The Israeli, American and British agenda seeks to bring an end to the Palestinian issue," al-Houthi said. Houthi operations in the Red Sea, he said, were "legitimate (ones) to help support the people of Gaza and lift the siege being imposed on them."

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A Houthi policeman stands on a banner with pictures of Benjamin Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden during a parade by Houthi recruits in a show of force amid a standoff in the Red Sea and US-led airstrikes on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
A Houthi policeman stands on a banner with pictures of Benjamin Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden during a parade by Houthi recruits in a show of force amid a standoff in the Red Sea and US-led airstrikes on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

Why are the Houthis targeting ships heading for the Red Sea?

The Houthis say they have targeted shipping in solidarity with Palestinians over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea journeys and opt for a longer and more expensive route around the African continent, and US and British warplanes have carried out retaliatory strikes across Yemen.

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