The leader of the Houthi group in Yemen, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, vowed to continue naval attacks, and claimed the targeting of 54 ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, boasting that his group had launched 384 missiles and drones since November.
In remarks on Thursday, Al-Houthi promised more “surprises that the enemies will not expect,” referring to the escalation of attacks against ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.
He also warned the Europeans against participating with the United States and Britain in the strikes in Yemen, and mocked Germany’s “confused involvement”, as it mistakenly fired missiles at its allies, stressing that the attacks would not stop unless aid reached the Palestinians in Gaza.
Al-Houthi’s weekly statements came in parallel with remarks by advisor to the Yemeni Defense Minister, asserting that Western strikes against the group will not be sufficient, and calling for the need to support government forces on the ground.
While the Houthi leader claimed that his group enjoys “divine support,” he reiterated that the strikes launched by Washington and London had no effect and did not limit the military capabilities of the Houthis, who receive backing from Iran.
A German frigate, active in the Red Sea as part of a European mission to protect commercial ships, almost accidentally shot down an American drone, Reuters reported, quoting German media.
The German Ministry of Defense confirmed that an accident had occurred involving an allied country’s drone, last Monday, without mentioning the name of this country.
For his part, Major General Abdul Hakim Amer, advisor to the Yemeni Minister of Defense, said that the US and British air strikes against the Houthis would not be efficient alone, stressing that the matter required a “military decision” on the ground.
During an exclusive interview with the Arab World Press television service, the Yemeni official expressed the army’s readiness to “resolve the battle” if air cover was available.
Since Jan. 12, the United States, along with Britain, began launching strikes against the Houthis, in response to their attacks on maritime ships in the Red Sea.
