Ocean carriers sailing around South Africa to avoid attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have been added to the crosshairs of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as they threaten to extend their missile reach into the southern Indian Ocean.
The new development to the crisis at the Horn of Africa comes after yet another maritime vessel was attacked as it sailed about 122 kilometres past Yemen’s Port of Hodeida, bringing the number of vessels targeted by the rebels since November to 65.
According to the rebels associated with the Ansar Allah Islamist movement, their missile tactics have improved, enabling them to extend their target zone using hypersonic military technology.
The militia’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said in a televised interview: “Our main battle is to prevent ships linked to the Israeli enemy from passing through not only the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but also the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope.
“This is a major step and we have begun to implement our operations related to it.”
The threat to target vessels avoiding the shorter Europe-Asia passage through the Suez Canal comes as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with the group aiming to disrupt maritime traffic in new strategic locations.
The expanded target zone signifies a major shift in the group’s operational scope, with a focus on disrupting global shipping lanes and imposing challenges on maritime activities in the region.
Months of relentless attacks by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have already caused disruption to global shipping, compelling companies to reroute vessels on longer and more costly journeys, as reported by Reuters.
The group’s possession and potential use of a hypersonic missile, as claimed by various sources, including AP News and Maritime Executive, have raised concerns about their enhanced capabilities to penetrate advanced air defences and target ships with greater precision.
The threat of extending attacks to the Indian Ocean poses a new challenge to international maritime security, with the Houthi rebels aiming to exert control over critical sea lanes and intensify pressure on shipping activities.
The strategic implications of this move are significant, potentially impacting trade routes and maritime operations in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the evolving dynamics of the conflict, with a particular focus on the Houthi rebels’ actions and their implications for maritime security in the southern Indian Ocean.
The threat of increased attacks on vessels navigating around the Cape of Good Hope underscores the need for heightened vigilance and co-ordinated efforts to address the escalating tensions in the region.
The Houthi rebels’ declaration to extend their ship attacks to the Indian Ocean represents a critical development in the conflict, with far-reaching implications for maritime security and global shipping operations, reports are stating.
The international response to this escalation remains crucial in mitigating risks and safeguarding maritime interests in the region.
