Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Saturday it would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
The Iran-backed group is escalating the risks of a regional conflict amid the Gaza war.
The Houthis have attacked and seized several Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and its Bab al-Mandab Strait, a sea lane through which much of the world’s oil is shipped, firing ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel.
Houthi officials say their actions are a show of support for the Palestinians.
Israel said the attacks were an “Iranian act of terrorism” with consequences for international maritime security.
Threats against Israeli ships and cargo
A Houthi military spokesperson said all ships sailing to Israel are banned from the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
“If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces,” the spokesperson said.
The threat will take effect immediately, the statement added.
The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” that have been hitting Israeli and US targets since October 7 when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel.
In a recent incident, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters last week, prompting a US Navy destroyer to intervene.
The Houthis rule much of Yemen and its Red Sea coast. Last month they seized a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.
The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.
Saudi Arabia has asked the US to show restraint in responding to the attacks.