Yemen’s Houthi group said it would keep up attacks on US and British warships in the Red Sea in what it called acts of self defence, stoking fears of long-term disruptions to world trade.
According to international media reports, in a statement, the group’s military spokesperson said all American and British warships participating in “aggression” against its country were targets.
The US and Britain have launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and returned the militia to a list of terrorist groups as turmoil from the Gaza conflict spreads through the region.
The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have been attacking ships in and around the Red Sea, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.
As per reports, a ship carrying around 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle is marooned off the coast of Australia in sweltering heat after it was forced to abandon a trip through the Red Sea, causing an outcry from people concerned about the animal’s welfare.
The vessel left Australia on Jan 5 for Israel, where it was to unload, but diverted from its course in mid-January due to the threat of attack by Yemen’s Houthi fighters before being ordered home by the Australian government.
The animals are now in limbo and could be discharged in Australia, where biosecurity rules would require them to quarantine, or sent back to sea for a month-long journey to Israel around Africa, avoiding the Red Sea, industry officials and the government said.
