Oman Advises Houthis to Deescalate Attacks on Shipping Lanes in Red Sea
Oman advised the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to deescalate attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, warning them that continuing to attack ships would harm their interests and the interests of the region and the world, Informed Sources told Sheba Intelligence.
However, the group continues to prepare for more attacks on vessels on the Red Sea. According to the sources, foreign experts believed to be Iranian have recently arrived in Taiz to activate the air defense operations room in Al-Amaki in Al-Hawban area and at Al-Jand Airport in Taiz to target ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The sources indicated Houthi strikes may target the Arab coalition joint forces on Mayon Island after information that the drones that struck Al-Janad Airport on Tuesday took off from Mayon.
The sources confirmed that the Houthi movement to target Israeli ships helped the group promote its agenda among the Yemenis, and it was able to mobilize and recruit people from all Yemeni villages, including from regions and tribes that previously refused to fight for the Houthi movement.
But observers say that the Houthi mobilization of fighters is directed to fight its political opponents in Marib, Al-Dhalea, Mocha, and Shabwah, and that many of those who have recently joined the Houthi camps were deployed to different frontlines.
The sources confirmed that the Houthi group is in the process of modernizing the military telecommunications network and introducing advanced telecommunication systems that are compatible with developments in its war with Israel in the Red Sea.
On Wednesday, Rep. Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the U.S. could strike the Houthis inside Yemen if their attacks on shipping lanes and U.S. personnel or ships specifically continue. “If the attacks continue, particularly to American troops or ships, etc., I think that you’ll see us going right back at them,” Meeks said.
However, Houthis say their attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea will continue. Houthi spokesperson Mohammad Abdel Salam said Wednesday that Yemen’s support to the Palestinian people will be steadfast until Israel ends its aggression and siege on Gaza.
Abdel Salam said on “X”, “In light of the operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, we are receiving several communications and messages from active countries confirming their support for the ceasefire in Gaza and their commitment to work to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and that they are against the expansion of the conflict.”
As the Houthis keep preparing for more attacks on Israeli ships, Israel says establishing an international coalition to counter the Houthi threats to shipping lanes is needed.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Wednesday that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen “have crossed a red line in the Red Sea.” He added in a post in “X”, “The U.S.-led international activities against the Houthi terror-pirates must be bolstered and strengthened in the form of a truly international coalition.”
