Houthis from Moscow: We ally with Russia against the US & the UK
A major maritime escalation regionally and internationally is underway regardless of the situation in Gaza.
Last week, Russian news agency TASS has published an exclusive interview with the Houthis deputy spokesperson to discuss the maritime blockade in the Red Sea. In the interview, Houthis reiterated their stand point of ceasing the blockade once a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. However, in a first, he added that even if the war in Gaza finishes, Houthis blockade against the US and UK in the Red Sea will continue.
This statement transformed the conflict from a regional one to an international one officially, yet it was not reported by most media.
The Houthis followed that interview with another one this week with Russian news agency Novosti. In this interview, they claimed they have tested a hypersonic maritime missile which they plan to deploy against the US and the UK in the coming weeks in the Red Sea.
Yesterday, on an X post, the spokesperson of Houthis said Yemen can exchange experiences with Russia and China about maritime war based on its experience with the ongoing blockade in the Red Sea and using live data.
The statements coincided with Iran, Russia, China conducting a maritime training including on a scenario of freeing two commercial ships held captive by pirates.
Clearly, an international maritime security Axis is being formed with Yemen at its core. It will see to ban US and UK access to the Red Sea in retaliation for attacks in Ukraine and a prospective war in Taiwan.
The US is set to build a temporary sea port in Gaza. Allegedly, this is supposed to be used to deliver aid to Gaza. However, this is likely linked to the US and Isrselle potentially losing access to Haifa port. In such instance, having alternatives as the war escalate is necessary. Particularly, the US military will no longer be able use Isrselle ports and instead will use a Cyprus port. Even Isrselle is also set to establish a temporary port in Cyprus in anticipation of Haifa port being taken out of service.
A major maritime escalation regionally and internationally, hence, is underway regardless of the situation in Gaza.