Yemen’s Houthis announced on Sunday their intention to uphold a maritime blockade against Israeli vessels, citing “intelligence information” that indicates Israeli shipping companies are in the process of selling their assets to other entities.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have ramped up their military actions to support Hamas and Hezbollah in their opposition to Israeli operations in the region. Yahya Sarea, the military spokesperson for the group, stated that intelligence suggests many maritime shipping companies linked to Israel are attempting to divest their assets and transfer ownership.
Sarea emphasized that the Houthis would not acknowledge any changes in ownership and warned against any cooperation with these companies. He affirmed the continuation of their naval blockade on Israel, threatening to target any ships associated with, connected to, or en route to Israel. The blockade will remain in effect until “aggression ceases and the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted, along with the hostilities against Lebanon.”