RSSUS Strikes on Iranian Supplied weapons to Houthis
The Houthis initially said they were attacking ships connected with Israel, or heading to or from there. However, many of the vessels have no connection with Israel.
In response to US and UK air strikes on their positions, the Houthis began targeting ships tied to owners or operators in the UK or US.
The attacks forced even major shipping companies to stop using the Red Sea – through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes – and to take a much longer route around southern Africa instead.
The Houthis initially said they were attacking ships connected with Israel, or heading to or from there. However, many of the vessels have no connection with Israel.
In response to US and UK air strikes on their positions, the Houthis began targeting ships tied to owners or operators in the UK or US.
The attacks forced even major shipping companies to stop using the Red Sea – through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes – and to take a much longer route around southern Africa instead.
The Houthis are an armed political and religious group which champions Yemen’s Shia Muslim minority, the Zaidis.
They declare themselves to be part of the Iranian-led “axis of resistance” against Israel, the US and the wider West – along with armed groups such as Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
Saudi Arabia and the US say Iran has smuggled weapons – including drones, and cruise and ballistic missiles – to the Houthis during Yemen’s civil war in violation of a UN arms embargo.
It says such missiles and drones have been used in attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as its ally, the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia and the US say Iran has smuggled weapons – including drones, and cruise and ballistic missiles – to the Houthis during Yemen’s civil war in violation of a UN arms embargo.
It says such missiles and drones have been used in attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as its ally, the United Arab Emirates.