On January 16, 2024, the Yemeni Houthi Ansar Allah movement claimed responsibility for an attack involving “appropriate missiles” against the Greek vessel Zografia, which was “heading to the ports of occupied Palestine.” This took place only one day after the Houthis carried out a similar attack against an American vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi armed forces spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yahya Saree announced on his Telegram channel in Arabic and in English that the attack was carried out “in confirmation of continued practical solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people” and after the crew “refused the calls from the naval forces, as well as repeated fiery warning messages.”
Other Houthi officials elaborated that the Houthi armed forces are prepared for a long war, and suggested that their operations against Israeli ships may expand beyond the Bab-el-Mandab Strait. In addition, they called for the expansion of the regional conflict against the United States, and warned that Europe will be its primary victim.
Following are further details about the above incident and the Houthi responses to it:
Houthi Armed Forces Spokesman: We Continue To Prevent Israeli Navigation In The Arabian And Red Seas
On January 16, 2024, Houthi armed forces spokesman Saree’ claimed Houthi responsibility for the attack against the Greek vessel, adding:
“The Yemeni armed forces continue to carry out their military operations and implement the decision to prevent Israeli navigation in the Arabian and Red Seas until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted. The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to take all defensive and offensive measures within the legitimate right to defend dear Yemen and in confirmation of continued practical solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people.
A January 16 report released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that on January 16 at approximately 1:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants launched an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea. M/V Zografia, a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, reported they were struck but seaworthy, and were continuing their Red Sea transit. No injuries were reported.
Houthi Officials: We Are Prepared For A Long Battle; Europe Would Be The Biggest Victim Of War In The Red Sea
On January 16, 2024, Houthi Deputy Information Minister Naser Al-Din Amer wrote on his X account: “America, Britain, and all the supporters of the Zionist enemy that are working together in the aggression against Yemen must know that we are prepared for a long battle. We have endurance. We trust in Allah, we rely on Him, and we are waging jihad for His sake. Are you also prepared for this?”
On the same day, Houthi Political Bureau member Muhammad Al-Bukhaiti wrote an English post on his X account stating: “The war between Yemen and America and Britain is clear, because it is a war between good and evil, between values and interests, between protectors of the oppressed and protectors of criminals, between advocates of peace and advocates of war, between the law of divine justice and the law of the jungle, between right and wrong, between the oppressed and the arrogant, it’s an extension of the war between Moses and Pharaoh.”
On January 17, 2024, Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Izzi wrote on his X account: “Any action that harms Yemen’s interests will be regarded as a declaration of war, and then the ban on Israeli ships will no longer be limited to the Bab-el-Mandab Strait, since there are those who can implement it also along other naval routes. We already have advanced coordination in this regard.” He further wrote: “The American and British aggression and the shedding of Yemeni blood were uncalled for. This will become the mistake of their lives if they don’t swallow Yemen’s upcoming response and stop their crime[s] against Gaza.”[7]
On January 17, 2024, Houthi Supreme Political Council member Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi shared on his X account a summary of a long Arabic-language interview given the previous day to Turkey’s TRT news agency. In the interview, Al-Houthi said: “Everybody must expand the conflict against the United States, since it is an obstacle preventing the end of the genocide against our brethren in Gaza.” He added: “Sparking a war in the Red Sea will first of all harm Europe, both in terms of supplies and in other ways. Europe will be the primary victim, since the conflict will expand because of America and Britain and their reckless use of the force available to them.”