yemens houthi rebels claim attacks on israel drawing their main sponsor iran closer to hamas war
Picture Courtesy (CNN) Yemen Houthi rebels
Sibusiso Ndlovu
The United States relisted Yemen-based Houthi rebels to a list of terrorist groups, analysts says this could further escalate the conflict in the region.
The U.S. said “Specially Designated Global Terroristic” (SDGT) listing is aimed at cutting off funding and weapons the Houthis have used to attack or hijack ships.
The attacks on ship vessels by Houthis are in connection to Israel- Gaza war. The Houthis rebels have repeated time and again that their actions in the Red Sea are in solidarity with Palestinians and have threatened to expand attacks to any ship vessels in the Red Sea to any county that support Israel.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto says the disruptions in the Red Sea threaten to destabilise Italy’s economy and marginalise ports in Southern Europe.
Speaking with Reuters Houthi spokesman says that attacks on ships heading to Israel would continue and the designation would not affect its position.
The US, UK, Israel and many others have accused Iran for supporting the Houthis military to attack the ship cargo in the Res Sea. The attacks have also raised tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two regional rivals that are backing opposite sides in the Yemeni civil war.
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