Yemen Warns against Aggressive US-Led Coalition Actions in Red Sea
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Yemen's Defense Minister strongly rebuked the US-led Red Sea maritime task force, warning of dire consequences should any assault on Yemeni soil occur.
Yemen's Defense Minister Major General Mohammad al-Atifi firmly warned the US-led maritime task force on Monday, emphasizing Yemen's capability to counter any threats against its sovereignty. "We possess the means to neutralize your warships, submarines, and aircraft carriers," al-Atifi stated, cautioning against any hostile actions directed at Yemen.
"The Yemeni Armed Forces are ready to transform the Red Sea into a graveyard for the US-led coalition should they take aggressive measures against Yemen," Al-Atifi further asserted.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin earlier announced the formation of a coalition comprising several nations to patrol the Red Sea. This move follows Yemeni strikes on vessels en route to Israeli-occupied territories in response to Israel's aggressive war on Gaza.
In response, the Yemeni military vowed to confront the coalition, with Mohammed al-Bukhaiti emphasizing that Yemen solely targets ships linked to Israel or bound for its ports. Al-Bukhaiti reaffirmed Yemen's commitment to maritime safety while opposing Israel's interests, warning against any coalition formed by the US in the Red Sea.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces have painful options, which they will employ in response to any act of aggression against their homeland. We only target ships that are either Israeli-owned or heading towards Israeli ports,” said al-Bukhaiti, a Yemeni political figure.
Amidst escalating tensions, BP, the British energy corporation, announced a suspension of oil and gas shipments through the Red Sea due to increased attacks on vessels heading for Israel by the Yemeni Armed Forces.
Yemen's support for Palestine has been explicit since Israel initiated a devastating war on Gaza, resulting in a staggering death toll of nearly 20,000 people and over 52,000 injured. Israeli shipping companies are rerouting their vessels in response to the Yemeni forces' actions.
The Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories of Palestine after the occupying regime’s aggression on Gaza.
