watan-The statement released by the Houthi group unveils new details about the kidnapping operation of an Israeli ship in the southern Red Sea and outlines the objectives behind the abduction. This marks the first of its kind in the region since the initiation of the “Operation Flood of Al-Aqsa” and the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that the Houthi group in Yemen had seized a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, denying its Israeli affiliation.
According to a statement issued by the Houthi group and conveyed by its spokesperson, Colonel Yahya Saree, the naval forces carried out a military operation in the Red Sea, resulting in the capture of an Israeli ship and its transportation to the Yemeni coast.
As per the statement, the group “deals with the ship’s crew in accordance with the teachings and values of our Islamic faith.
بيانٌ صادرٌ عنِ القواتِ المسلحةِ اليمنية
بسمِ اللهِ الرحمنِ الرحيم
قال تعالى: { إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِینَ یُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِی سَبِیلِهِۦ صَفࣰّا كَأَنَّهُم بُنۡیَـٰنࣱ مَّرۡصُوصࣱ } صدقَ اللهُ العظيمتنفيذاً لتوجيهاتِ قائدِ الثورةِ السيدِ القائدِ عبدِالملكِ بدرِ الدين الحوثي… pic.twitter.com/B6SnyshYhG
— العميد يحيى سريع (@army21ye) November 19, 2023
Warning to Israeli Ships
The Houthi group has reiterated its warning to all ships affiliated with the Israeli enemy or those dealing with it, stating that they will become legitimate targets for its forces.
The Yemeni group urged all countries whose nationals operate in the Red Sea to refrain from any dealings or activities with Israeli ships or those owned by Israelis.
They declared their continued military operations against the Israeli enemy until the aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and the heinous crimes against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank cease.’
The Houthi statement emphasized that their armed forces only pose a threat to ships of the Israeli entity and those owned by Israelis, as stated in a previous announcement.
Earlier on Sunday, the Houthi group announced their intention to ‘target all types of ships’ associated with Israeli companies. This decision is grounded in religious, national, and ethical responsibilities, given the severe Israeli-American aggression on the Gaza Strip, characterized by daily massacres and genocide. It is also a response to the demands of the Yemeni people and the aspirations of free nations, as well as a rescue mission for our oppressed brethren in Gaza, according to a statement by Houthi spokesperson Colonel Yahya Saree on the X platform.
Israel Responds
In response, the Israeli military characterized the kidnapping of a cargo ship by the Houthi group in the southern Red Sea as an “extremely serious incident on the global level.”
According to a statement from the Israeli army spokesperson, the ship did not have Israelis on board and is not of Israeli origin.
The hijacking of a cargo ship by the Houthis near Yemen in the southern Red Sea is a very grave incident of global consequence.
The ship departed Turkey on its way to India, staffed by civilians of various nationalities, not including Israelis. It is not an Israeli ship.— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 19, 2023
The Israeli military stated that the ship is owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese company, providing no further details. The statement added that the ship had left Turkey en route to India with an international civilian crew.
Since the initiation of “Operation Flood of Al-Aqsa,” the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles and drones against Israel. Israel has previously announced intercepting several missiles and UAVs “above the Red Sea,” related to the Israeli conflict in Gaza.