Iran-backed Yemeni rebels threatened new attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the AP agency reported on Monday. On the part of the Houthis, according to the agency, it is probably an attempt to support Iran, which is threatened with intervention by US President Donald Trump due to the violent suppression of anti-government protests, writes TASR.
- The Yemeni Houthis threatened new attacks on ships.
- The aim is to support Iran against possible US intervention.
- The US is moving a strike group of ships to the Middle East.
An American strike group led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by destroyers and other assets, is currently moving to the Middle East. Trump indicated last week that he does not rule out military intervention in Iran, setting two red lines for it – the killing of peaceful protesters and mass executions.
The threats of the Houthis
The threat of renewed attacks by Yemeni rebels against vessels in the Red Sea region was interpreted by the AP agency on the basis of a short video published by them, in which previously published images of a burning ship appeared with the comment “Soon”.
The Houthis did not elaborate, but as part of their declared solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, they attacked more than 100 ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea. Although the attacks stopped after Israel and the militant group Hamas concluded a ceasefire in Gaza, they repeatedly warned that they could resume fire if necessary.
Warning to Iran
Trump said the U.S. is moving a strike group of ships to the Middle East in case he ultimately decides to take action against Iran. A new banner appeared in a central Tehran square over the weekend, according to the AP, depicting the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln covered in bodies and blood and warning that “He who sows the wind will reap the storm.”
On Monday, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Defense warned Israel and the US against any possible attack because, according to him, “there will be a reaction that will be more painful and decisive than in the past.” Threats from the US and Israel require Iran to “maintain full and comprehensive readiness,” according to the spokesman.
Number of victims of protests
Iran’s government says 3,117 people have died in protests since the end of December. But the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Friday that the number of confirmed victims exceeded 5,000. Also, according to the Norwegian NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), the number of protesters killed “ranges from 5,000 to 20,000” based on some estimates.
