Yemen's Houthi rebels are using the Israel-Hamas war to show off their growing arsenal, and US warships are in the crossfire
Business InsiderOct 24, 2023
Israel: Yemen Houthis Claim Responsibility for Drone Attack on Port Eliat
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Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
Houthi forces in Yemen on Tuesday claimed to have launched drone assaults against the Israeli port city of Eilat and missiles at the MSC United VIII sailing through the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. The group has ramped up attacks in recent weeks to put pressure on Israel to halt conflict in Gaza.
The spokesman for the Houthi movement Ansar Allah, Yahya Saree, told the Al Masirah television channel that the Houthi air force had carried out a massive drone attack on sensitive facilities in the southern city of Eilat.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Yemeni Houthis have carried out military operations against ships bound for the Israeli-occupied territories through the Red Sea in a direct response to the relentless and unlawful Israeli war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. If the US and its allies continue their move towards a coalition response against the Yemeni forces, they should expect both military and prestige defeats.
Pro-establishment narrative
Though there's indeed a risk that a forceful response may escalate regional tensions to the point that Iran and its other proxy groups could engage in the conflict, Houthi rebels have left the US and its allies with very few options to protect commercial shipping. If the defensive task force and diplomacy fail to deter further attacks, a more offensive approach to the Houthis will be required.
