Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Iran-backed Houthi army in Yemen, gave a speech today (Wednesday), defiantly reasserting their policy of firing upon or hijacking any ships passing through the Red Sea that are either Israeli-affiliated or heading to Israeli ports, according to reporting by Kann 11 reporter Roi Kais.
Al-Houthi stated that the current US-led international task force meant to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks was not about protecting international shipping but to protect Israeli shipping, at Israel's request.
He also said that if the US escalated matters and attacked them, they would strike at American ships with drones and missiles.
In addition, al-Houthi chided Arab states for intercepting missiles and projectiles the Houthis had launched at Israel and for apparently not acceding to a request to open their borders to Yemenites could cross their territory to attack Israel.
He said Arab states should stand aside and not be involved in a fundamentally Israeli matter.