Houthi Group Vows to Block Israeli-Linked Ships in Indian Ocean
Watan-The Houthi group in Yemen has pledged to prevent ships associated with Israeli occupation from crossing the Indian Ocean towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as announced by its leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
In a video statement, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said, “In addition to the severe suffering due to the blockade and starvation in Gaza, it is noteworthy to hear statements about the possibility of martyrs due to thirst.”
The statement added, “The scarce meals dropped by planes on the Gaza Strip are an American play that insults the dignity of the Palestinian people.”
Criticism of Western support for the occupation
The leader of the Yemeni group, which has disrupted navigation in the Red Sea for months, said it does so in support of Gaza until the Israeli siege is lifted: “America and Western countries provide the most deadly weapons to the Israeli enemy to kill the Palestinian people, including children and women.”
The statement highlighted the number of casualties in Gaza and the tragedy of the blockade and starvation: “The massive numbers of martyrs and wounded, most of whom are children and women, are a disgrace to a world that claims civilization and boasts about rights, and a scandal for the international community.”
“نتجه إلى منع عبور السفن المرتبطة بالعدو الإسرائيلي عبر #المحيط_الهندي ومن جنوب أفريقيا في اتجاه طريق الرجاء الصالح”
قائد حركة أنصار الله السيد عبد الملك الحوثي#اليمن #فلسطين#طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/B6G10Ov0sJ
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) March 14, 2024
Preventing ships from crossing the Indian Ocean
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi announced the prevention of ships associated with Israel from crossing the Indian Ocean in the direction parallel to South Africa towards the Israeli enemy.
He said in his speech broadcast on Al-Masirah TV: “With the help of God and with His assistance, we are heading to prevent the passage of ships associated with the Israeli enemy even across the Indian Ocean and from South Africa towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait.”
This escalation comes in response to Israel’s continued aggression in the Gaza Strip, perpetuating its policy of starvation and genocide. The group had previously stated that it would respond to escalations in Gaza with maritime operations.
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi confirmed that they have indeed begun implementing this step. He said, “This important, advanced, and significant step, we have begun to carry out our operations associated with it.”
He also revealed that some of their maritime operations have reached the Indian Ocean. He said, “Our operations this time have reached unprecedented levels, with three operations reaching the Indian Ocean.”
The Houthis had announced since November 19th last year, attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea suspected to be associated with Israel or heading to its ports.
جدد السيد القائد ، عبدالملك بدر الدين الحوثي ،يحفظة الله ، لجماهير الشعب اليمني في خطابة اليوم املاً بهذا الشعب في الخروج المليوني في شهر النصرة والجهاد ، فيا شعب الإيمان والحكمة ويا أنصار رسول الله ،، أنتم أهل المروءة ،، والوفاء ، والشهامة وأنتم أهل الثبات ،، وأنتم اليوم أمل… pic.twitter.com/JmkCl4MbjG
— د.قاسم أحمد الحمران (@Qasim_AlHamran) March 14, 2024
In an attempt to deter them, US and British forces have been launching strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen since January 12th last year. The US military alone occasionally carries out strikes on missiles it says are ready to launch.
Following Western strikes, the Houthis began targeting US and British ships in the region, considering the interests of both countries as “legitimate targets.”
Gaza victims are not just numbers
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi pointed out that “the martyrs of Gaza are not just numbers that resonate with people, but they are human souls that are being extinguished and wasted, with the wounds and suffering of a people being annihilated.”
He continued, “For the 160th day, Zionist crimes continue in the Gaza Strip, which are genocide in every sense of the word… The Israeli enemy is committing the crime of the century with American participation and the contribution of Western countries.”
The leader of the Houthis also said in his statement that “the Muslims’ neglect and abandonment, especially the Arabs, contribute to the crime of the century against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” adding, “the Israeli enemy is committing the crime of the century with American participation and Western countries.”
According to the statement, American landing operations only cover a small percentage of the needs and they aim to deceive public opinion to continue the crime… In exchange for limited assistance to the people of Gaza, America provides tons of bombs to kill them.
