Houthi Warning Supported by the Islamic Republic to Ships: We Will Use 'Submarines'

The Houthis of Yemen officially warned shipping lines and insurance companies on Thursday, March 3, that ships associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain should not navigate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Sea of Oman. The Iranian-backed Houthi militants have targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since late November, claiming to support the Palestinians, using drone and missile attacks. The Houthi attacks have disrupted a route that constitutes about 12% of global maritime traffic, forcing companies to take longer and more expensive routes around Africa. According to Reuters, the Houthis also announced on Thursday that they would use 'submarines' in their attacks on ships in the surrounding waters. The U.S. State Department condemned the Houthi attacks on civilian cargo ships once again in a statement issued on Wednesday. The statement read: 'The irresponsible and indiscriminate attacks by the Houthis on civilian ships endanger the lives of innocent sailors, disrupt maritime trade, and increasingly threaten regional security and stability.' The U.S. State Department also labeled the Houthis' behavior as 'terroristic,' adding: 'The Houthi attacks have dire humanitarian and economic consequences. These attacks lead to price increases and delays in the delivery of vital humanitarian items such as food and medicine in areas that need them most.' The U.S. State Department emphasized that 'contrary to the Houthis' claims, their attacks do not help the Palestinians.' Concurrently with the Houthi warning, British maritime agencies reported a missile attack on a cargo ship off the southern coast of Yemen. British maritime organizations announced that a cargo ship near the southern coast of Yemen caught fire after being hit by a missile on Thursday. According to Reuters, the attack on this ship prompted a response from U.S.-led naval forces. Based on information from the maritime security company 'Ambrey' and ship tracking data, the burning ship belonged to Britain and was heading from Thailand to Egypt under the Palauan flag. Two shipping sources identified the ship as 'Islander.' The British 'Maritime Trade Operations' organization also announced that coalition forces led by the U.S. were responding to this attack. In this attack, two missiles were fired at the ship approximately 70 nautical miles southeast of the port city of Aden in southern Yemen. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that from the early hours of Wednesday, March 2, until 6:45 PM the same day in Sanaa time, it had destroyed nine Houthi missiles, launchers, and drones. According to CENTCOM's statement, seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile launcher prepared to fire towards the Red Sea were destroyed in four attacks. The statement added that CENTCOM also shot down a Houthi suicide drone during self-defense operations within the same timeframe. CENTCOM identified these Houthi weapons as an 'imminent threat' to commercial ships and U.S. naval vessels in the region, stating that their destruction was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for vessels present in the area.