Houthi Rebels Issue Red Sea Warning for Israeli Bound Vessels

A senior Houthi official has warned Israel bound vessels to avoid the Red Sea after they claimed an attack on a biofuels ship on Tuesday.

• The vessel struck this week had no clear ties to Israel, heightening fears that vessels could be struck in mistaken identity or government alignment with Israel. The chemical tanker Strinda was Norwegian flagged and bound for Italy.
• Ships that pass Yemen should keep radios turned on, and quickly respond to Houthi attempts at communication according to a senior Houthi official on X.
• The Houthi’s said the vessel was a crude cargo bound for Israel – potentially confusing a tentative port call in Israel in January.
• They also claimed a lack of radio response from the vessel.