New Delhi: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have told the US that American ships in the Red Sea will not be targeted, even as the Iran-backed group continues its
military campaign against Saudi Arabia and warns other countries against joining Riyadh.
Houthis say US ships are safe in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have assured the United States that they will not attack American ships in the Red Sea, even as their conflict with Saudi Arabia intensifies.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, told The Associated Press that the group’s military operations were directed against Saudi Arabia and that it had no intention of attacking the US or other countries operating in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. “We confirmed that we are not attacking the United States or any other country in the strait, except for the Saudi enemy. This remains the case,” al-Bukhaiti said, according to AP.
He also said the Houthis did not intend to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The assurances come after US officials met Houthi representatives in Oman earlier this month. The discussions were held through Omani mediation as Washington sought to prevent the conflict in Yemen from disrupting international shipping further.
US President Donald Trump has also acknowledged contacts between his administration and the Houthis, saying the group did not want a direct confrontation with the United States.
Houthis warn countries against joining Saudi war
While seeking to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington, the Houthis have warned other countries against getting involved in Saudi Arabia’s military campaign.
The warning comes as the Yemeni group has made rapid territorial gains along the country’s western coast and established a stronger position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The developments have raised concerns over one of the world’s key trade and energy routes.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has escalated sharply in recent weeks. Houthi forces have launched missiles and drones at Saudi targets, while Saudi forces have carried out strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. Reuters reported that the two sides exchanged fresh attacks as the fighting intensified.
The escalation has also complicated the wider regional crisis. Washington has so far avoided directly entering the fighting between Riyadh and the Houthis, despite Saudi Arabia seeking greater support.
The US is already engaged in a major conflict with Iran, while the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. Any prolonged fighting around Bab el-Mandeb could put further pressure on global shipping and energy supplies.
The Houthis’ latest message therefore draws a distinction between their campaign against Saudi Arabia and their approach to American shipping, while they are warning countries against supporting Riyadh, they say US vessels will not be targeted.
