Iran-Supported Houthis: We Will Continue to Sink British Ships

Iran-supported Houthis threatened on Sunday, March 4, to continue targeting British ships. This threat follows the sinking of a British-owned vessel named 'Rubimar'. Hussein al-Azi, a Houthi official, posted on social media threatening that the Houthis would sink more British ships, claiming that the UK, alongside the United States, defends Israel's attacks in Gaza. Meanwhile, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the so-called 'Revolutionary Committee of the Houthis of Yemen', stated on Saturday, March 3, that 'if Britain allows aid trucks to enter Gaza, we will also allow the recovery of our sunken ship.' He held Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, and his government responsible for the sinking of the 'Rubimar', but did not explain why he believes Britain is preventing aid trucks from reaching Gaza. The U.S. military and the legitimate Yemeni government announced on Saturday that the aforementioned ship, which was targeted by Houthi militants in late January, sank on the night of March 2, posing a risk of environmental disaster. The U.S. Treasury Department has again placed the Houthis on the list of 'specially designated global terrorists' due to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea since Friday, February 16. The U.S. government announced last month that it would reinstate the rebel groups in Yemen to this list to prevent further attacks on international shipping in the region. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea with missile and drone attacks under the pretext of supporting Palestinians since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. These attacks have forced several shipping companies to halt transit through the Red Sea and opt for the longer and more expensive route around the African continent. The United States, Britain, and their allies have targeted Houthi positions in addition to taking special measures to protect free navigation and passing commercial ships. The Italian Navy shot down a Houthi drone in the Red Sea, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile. CENTCOM reported the destruction of several Houthi missiles and drones, continuing the refusal of ships to transit the Red Sea. CENTCOM also reported the downing of five Houthi suicide drones in the Red Sea and stated that a Houthi missile attack on an American ship caused no damage. CENTCOM reported thwarting ineffective drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The fourth joint attack by the U.S. and coalition on Houthi positions targeted at least eighteen locations. CENTCOM reported the destruction of a Houthi ballistic missile that was fired at an American oil tanker and confirmed the destruction of seven Houthi missiles.