Sources: Houthi Rejection to Release Israeli-Linked Ship Will Invite International Military Action

Intelligence sources told Sheba Intelligence that an imminent strike by international forces, possibly American, will be carried out in the coming hours if the Houthis do not release the Israeli-linked ship Galaxy Leader that was seized on Sunday. 

The source indicated that the strike may hit important Houthi military sites inside and around the capital, Sana'a, in addition to the naval operations rooms in the coastal areas, especially in the ports of Al-Hudaydah, Al-Salif, Al-Luhaya, and Kamaran Island.

Sheba Intelligence also learned that Washington may take action to reactivate the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the coming days to protect commercial ships in international trade lanes in the Red Sea. 

The CMF is a multinational maritime partnership that was established in 2002 to counter illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promote security and stability across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters. 

There is also information indicating that the United States is studying the possibility of establishing a base for the international Joint Task Force 153 extending from the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait to the city of Al-Khokha alongside Joint Task Force 151 and 152 which exist in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

On Monday, the commander of the Houthi coastal defense forces, Muhammad al-Qadiri, warned "against any foreign interference in Yemen's territorial waters or islands," saying that there will be "an appropriate response to any step of this kind." He also said they have the appropriate weapons and missiles to deal with any developments and the capability to strike any place at any time.

Since last month, the Houthi group has launched several drones and missiles at Israel, vowing to continue their attacks as long as the Israeli war on Gaza continues.