After attacking a British oil tanker in the Red Sea, a Houthi official in Yemen says they will now target U.S. interests in the region. The attack slightly damaged the British ship, Andromeda Star, with three missiles fired by the Houthis. In retaliation, the U.S. launched a drone strike on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
The Houthis’ military spokesperson, Yehya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they directly hit the Andromeda Star and shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone.
Hussein al Ezzi, a top Houthi official, also threatened the U.S., saying they would attack U.S. interests across the region. Sky News Arabia reported that the Houthis might target U.S. military forces in Djibouti, Eritrea, or Somalia.
Some experts believe Iran is behind these attacks, using the Houthis to divert attention from its regional allies, like Hezbollah in Lebanon. They think Iran wants to pressure the U.S. and Europe to avoid dealing with Hezbollah.
Experts also believe Iran is using its proxy forces to strengthen its position for negotiations with the U.S. after the 2024 elections. They think Iran wants to ensure its interests, including its nuclear program, are not ignored.
Meanwhile, Egypt is trying to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but many doubt a breakthrough will happen soon.
