Maritime passages remain strained 'as long as Houthis control Yemen's coast'
Rashad Al-Alimi, the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, expressed concerns on Monday that maritime routes will continue to be a source of regional conflict as long as Houthi forces hold power over Yemen's coastal areas....
TroibNews 
Rashad Al-Alimi, the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, expressed concerns on Monday that maritime routes will continue to be a source of regional conflict as long as Houthi forces hold power over Yemen's coastal areas.
This remark was made during Al-Alimi's meeting with French Ambassador to Yemen Catherine Corm-Kammoun in Aden, where they discussed recent regional developments, specifically the ongoing Houthi assaults on international shipping lanes, as reported by the state-run Saba News Agency.
Al-Alimi highlighted the necessity for the international community to implement "punitive measures against the Houthi militias," asserting that "the only way to end terrorist threats is through supporting the Yemeni government, a United Nations member, in restoring state institutions and asserting authority over all its territories."
He further pointed out Yemen's position as a strategic partner in maintaining maritime security and promoting international peace.
Currently, the Houthis exert control over most northern regions, including Sanaa and the vital Red Sea port of Hodeidah. In contrast, the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which has been led by the Presidential Leadership Council since April 2022, primarily governs the southern and eastern parts of the country, with Aden serving as its temporary capital.
On Saturday evening, the U.S. military initiated a fresh round of air strikes targeting Houthi positions in northern Yemen, resulting in the deaths of 53 individuals, among them five children and two women.
This escalation followed Trump’s commitment to continue air strikes until the Houthis ceased their assaults on international shipping routes. He also issued a stern warning to the Houthis, stating that if they do not halt their attacks "starting today... hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before."
In response to the U.S. strikes, Houthi forces claimed on Monday to have targeted the USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea for the second time within a 24-hour period, asserting that the operation involved multiple ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, over several hours.
As of now, the U.S. Navy has not released a statement confirming or refuting the alleged attack on its aircraft carrier.
This resurgence of conflict follows Israel’s decision to stop the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, which coincided with the conclusion of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement.
On March 11, the Houthi group declared it would resume attacks on any Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the Gaza Strip crossings are reopened and humanitarian aid is permitted.
Between November 2023 and January 19, the Houthis conducted numerous drone and rocket strikes against Israeli-affiliated ships and cities in a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Their attacks later extended to U.S. and British vessels following the initiation of air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets by a U.S.-British naval coalition to deter the group.
Thomas Evans contributed to this article for TROIB News
This remark was made during Al-Alimi's meeting with French Ambassador to Yemen Catherine Corm-Kammoun in Aden, where they discussed recent regional developments, specifically the ongoing Houthi assaults on international shipping lanes, as reported by the state-run Saba News Agency.
Al-Alimi highlighted the necessity for the international community to implement "punitive measures against the Houthi militias," asserting that "the only way to end terrorist threats is through supporting the Yemeni government, a United Nations member, in restoring state institutions and asserting authority over all its territories."
He further pointed out Yemen's position as a strategic partner in maintaining maritime security and promoting international peace.
Currently, the Houthis exert control over most northern regions, including Sanaa and the vital Red Sea port of Hodeidah. In contrast, the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which has been led by the Presidential Leadership Council since April 2022, primarily governs the southern and eastern parts of the country, with Aden serving as its temporary capital.
On Saturday evening, the U.S. military initiated a fresh round of air strikes targeting Houthi positions in northern Yemen, resulting in the deaths of 53 individuals, among them five children and two women.
This escalation followed Trump’s commitment to continue air strikes until the Houthis ceased their assaults on international shipping routes. He also issued a stern warning to the Houthis, stating that if they do not halt their attacks "starting today... hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before."
In response to the U.S. strikes, Houthi forces claimed on Monday to have targeted the USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea for the second time within a 24-hour period, asserting that the operation involved multiple ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, over several hours.
As of now, the U.S. Navy has not released a statement confirming or refuting the alleged attack on its aircraft carrier.
This resurgence of conflict follows Israel’s decision to stop the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, which coincided with the conclusion of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement.
On March 11, the Houthi group declared it would resume attacks on any Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the Gaza Strip crossings are reopened and humanitarian aid is permitted.
Between November 2023 and January 19, the Houthis conducted numerous drone and rocket strikes against Israeli-affiliated ships and cities in a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Their attacks later extended to U.S. and British vessels following the initiation of air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets by a U.S.-British naval coalition to deter the group.
Thomas Evans contributed to this article for TROIB News
