Press
The Houthi rebels are threatening attacks on ships in the Mediterranean. Experts believe distance is the biggest challenge.
Sanaa – Since the outbreak of the War in Gaza The Yemeni Houthi militia attacks ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The militia has now announced that it will expand attacks on merchant ships in the Mediterranean. Targets are ships that are in the Mediterranean en route to Israeli ports. The Houthi rebels could thus support Iran’s efforts to impose an economic blockade against Israel.
War in the Middle East: Houthi rebels announce attacks in the Mediterranean
The Houthis are part of the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas The Hezbollah militia also belongs to Lebanon and is directed against Israel. According to experts, the Houthis have missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers. The Houthis could theoretically carry out their Mediterranean threats. The rebels say they want an end to the Israeli military operation Gaza Strip force.
In the event of an offensive on the city of Rafah in the south of the coastal strip, the Houthi spokesman announced that the attacks would be expanded to all ships whose operators had business contacts with Israel. So far, ships that were traveling to or from Israel or that belong to Israeli, British or US companies have been targeted.
Iran is planning economic blockades against Israel – attacks by the Houthi militia should help
According to the Institute for the Study of War think tank, the announcement could be part of Iranian efforts to impose an unofficial economic blockade on Israel. The Iran had repeatedly called for a blockade against Israel in recent months. Tehran and its allies appear to assume “that severe economic disruption would force Israel to accept defeat in the Gaza Strip,” the institute wrote in its May 3 Iran update. According to Iran, the high economic pressure could lead to the collapse of the Israeli state.
The experts assume that the Houthis are unlikely to succeed in disrupting trade in the Mediterranean in the same way as in the Red Sea. The distance of the Houthis from the Mediterranean means the militia has to resort to ammunition, which it has in limited supply. The think tank also suspects that the Houthis lack an attack regime in the Mediterranean. They are supported in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by the Iranian ship “Bahshad”.
Lack of success against Houthi rebels – The West attacks
The Yemen is located on one of the most important trade routes in the world, connecting Europe with Asia. The Houthis are also said to have taken part in the Iranian attack on Israel with rockets and drones in mid-April. However, the attack was largely repelled by Israel and its allies.
Several Western states are involved in operations to repel Houthi attacks. Also the EU has launched a military operation to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea, in which Germany took part with the frigate “Hessen”, which is now on its way home. The frigate “Hamburg” is scheduled to take its place in August. Air strikes by the US and Britain, supported by allies, aimed at curtailing the Houthis’ capabilities have so far failed to produce the desired results. (vk/dpa)
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