Yemen’s Houthis say they will target only ships linked to Israel after Gaza ceasefire Reuters
LONDON (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthis will limit their attacks on merchant vessels to ships linked to Israel after a Gaza ceasefire came into effect, according to Yemen’s Center for the Coordination of Humanitarian Operations.
The HOCC, which links Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said in a Jan. 19 email to shipping industry officials that it was suspending “sanctions” against vessels owned by U.S. or British individuals or entities, as well as ships flying their flags.
“We confirm that, in the event of any aggression against the Republic of Yemen by the United States of America, the United States Kingdom (TADAWUL:) …sanctions will be reimposed against the aggressor,” the email read. “You will be notified immediately of such measures if they are implemented.”
The HOCC said it would stop targeting ships linked to Israel “after the full implementation of all phases of the agreement.”
Many of the world’s largest shipping companies have suspended sailing through the Red Sea and diverted their vessels around southern Africa to avoid being attacked.
The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four sailors.
The Houthis targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are connected by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a hub between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Hamas freed three Israeli hostages in Gaza and Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the first day of a ceasefire that halted a 15-month war that has ravaged the Gaza Strip and set the Middle East on fire.
