Yemen’s Houthi foreign minister, Jamal Amer, has made it clear that the group will not scale back its attacks on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, despite U.S. military pressure and appeals from Iran.
This statement came after the U.S. launched a series of strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, with the Houthis reaffirming their commitment to resuming these attacks in support of Palestinians in Gaza, Reuters reports.. While Iranian officials attempted to mediate, urging the Houthis to de-escalate, Amer dismissed these efforts, asserting that the group’s actions were independent of Iran’s influence.
Amer emphasized that the Houthis would not halt their operations until there is an end to the aid blockade in Gaza. He further stated that while Iran sometimes mediates, it does not dictate the group’s decisions.
The Houthi foreign minister also mentioned that, in light of the ongoing conflict with the U.S., Yemen has the right to defend itself by all means, suggesting that further escalation is likely.
