Houthis in Yemen: "We are still in favor of peace"
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen stated that they are still in favor of peace and hope for a change in the US position toward the people of Yemen and Palestine.
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The Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi made a statement on his X social media account.
EMPHASIS ON 'PEACE'
Noting that they are in favor of peace and want the least amount of tension possible, al-Ezzi expressed that they would also encourage a change in the US position toward Yemen and Palestine.
On the other hand, al-Ezzi stated that the forces affiliated with the Houthis have the capacity to sink ships along the route extending from the Yemeni coast to the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Mediterranean, but that they have left this step for another time.
There has been no response from the US to the Houthi official's statements yet. On January 26, the Houthis announced that they had targeted a British-owned oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. In a statement made today, it was reported that the US and the UK carried out 2 airstrikes on the city of Hodeidah in the west of the country.
THE LATEST SITUATION IN THE RED SEA
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen began seizing commercial ships they claimed were linked to Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen on October 31, 2023, in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza, and began launching drone and missile attacks on some of them.
During this process, US forces have announced many times that they have shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.
Following the actions of the Houthis, many shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.
On December 18, 2023, the US announced the creation of a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" with the participation of a group of countries, citing that the security of global maritime trade was in jeopardy.
On December 31, 2023, 3 Houthi speedboats attempting to seize a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea were fired upon by US helicopters.
On January 10, the Houthis announced that a US ship in the Red Sea was targeted with missiles and kamikaze drones on the grounds that it was supporting Israel.
On January 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution submitted by the US and Japan demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia.