Message from the Houthis to the EU: "We will not target European ships" It has been reported that the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has assured the
Message from the Houthis to the EU: "We will not target European ships"
It has been reported that the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has assured the European Union regarding maritime traffic in the Red Sea. In the message they sent to the EU's foreign policy and security unit, the Houthis stated that European ships will not be targeted and that they do not intend to prevent freedom of international navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
According to information based on diplomatic sources, the message was conveyed during the period when the Houthis continued their military activities on the southern coast of Yemen. The Houthi administration argued that its operations targeted specific countries, not international maritime trade.
Tension rises again in the Red Sea
The Houthis' statement coincided with a period of increasing maritime security concerns in the region. The group had previously announced that it was targeting ships linked to Israel, and due to the attacks in the Red Sea, many large shipping companies turned to the Cape of Good Hope route instead of the Suez Canal.
Recently, while the tension between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has escalated again, the group's threats against Saudi-related maritime transportation have also increased insurance costs.
EU maritime security operation continues
The EU carries out maritime security activities within the scope of Operation Aspides to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea. The main mission of the operation is to provide defensive support against missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against commercial ships.
The assurance given by the Houthis to the EU will be closely monitored in risk assessments, especially for European-based container and tanker businesses. However, experts point out that similar statements given in the region in the past do not always coincide with the developments on the field. Security situation in the Red Sea; Houthis' actions continue to change depending on regional conflicts and international maritime security activities.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
