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SOZARN BARDAY informs that despite an eight-year civil war, the Houthi rebels of Yemen remain committed to supporting Palestine by intercepting Israeli ships and creating disruptions in shipping in the Red Sea.
YEMEN is a country situated at a strategic point within the global economy. It serves as the entry point into the Red Sea, enabling large cargo vessels to travel between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
This route provides a quick and efficient means of delivering imported goods from Asia to Europe. Without the Red Sea, ships would have to navigate the challenges of the Atlantic Ocean and travel around Africa.
Despite Yemen’s clear advantage in governing such a significant area in the Middle East, it has been plagued by eight years of civil war.
The conflict involves the Houthi Rebels, a regional resistance group backed by Iran, and an ‘international’ government supported by Saudi Arabia.
This turmoil is further fuelled by various militant Islamic groups backed by the United Arab Emirates.
As a result of this conflict, over four million people have been displaced, leading to widespread medicine shortages, severe famine, and critical cholera outbreaks, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 12 000 cases have been reported to date, although these numbers may be skewed and could potentially be much higher.
Over the years, the United Nations has sporadically provided food aid to Yemen. However, in 2023, this assistance has ceased entirely.
Despite Yemen’s hardships, it has become a force to be reckoned with. It has taken sole responsibility for stopping all Israeli cargo ships in the southern Red Sea. Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Houthi group, stated that such seizures were in retaliation for the ‘heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank.’
Saree further emphasised, ‘If the international community is concerned about regional security and stability, rather than expanding the conflict, it should put an end to Israel’s aggression against Gaza.’
The group is determined to persevere and has declared that every ship affiliated with or supporting Israel will be targeted.
It was further asserted that these courageous actions will persist until the ‘atrocities against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank come to an end.’
To date, the Houthi group has launched nearly daily attacks on ships belonging to or supporting Israel.
As a result, Israel, along with its Western allies, has increased its presence in the Red Sea. Tensions are escalating, and the Houthi group has firmly warned Israel that any hostile movements will result in grave consequences. The group remains steadfast and is prepared to confront the US, Israel, or any other Western hostile power.
Ali al-Qahoum, a member of the Houthi’s Ansarullah politburo, further asserted that ‘the Houthi will not abandon the Palestinian cause, regardless of any US, Israeli, or Western threats.’
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The Houthi group has repelled three of the world’s biggest shipping companies: Maersk, a Danish shipping company; Hapag-Lloyd, a German shipping company, and CMA CGM, a French shipping company.
The resistance has vowed to continue such actions and has assured that all ships heading to the Red Sea, apart from Israeli ships, will suffer no harm.
The Red Sea is Israel’s primary port for receiving colossal oil and goods shipments, and 40% of international trade passes through it as well.
As a result of the resistance, the insurance costs of large oil cargo ships have escalated to such an extent that ships are now paying $10 000 or more.
In retaliation, Israel has once again appealed to its closest ally, the US, who is weighing whether they should target the Houthi rebels and potentially ignite a full-blown Middle Eastern war in the entire region.
Needless to say, the Houthi rebels have unwaveringly pledged allegiance to Palestine, stating, ‘We will not abandon the Palestinian cause, regardless of any US, Israeli, or Western threats.’ It is evident that the Houthi group is standing their ground and supporting Palestine with full force and determination. Yemen, we salute you – Guardian of the Red Sea.
- Sozarn Barday is an attorney and the administrator of an initiative named Lawyers for Palestine in the Western Cape.
