The seizure may signal the opening of an Iranian-directed campaign to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Houthi terrorists reportedly seized a commercial vessel in the Red Sea on Friday as fears grew that Iran has ordered its Yemen-based proxy to begin disrupting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to the report, the Houthis have deployed missiles, attack drones and armed boats around the approaches to the strait, the Gulf of Aden and the port of Hodeidah. Recent incidents have also included armed Houthi boats approaching merchant ships and exchanging fire with security teams.
The apparent escalation comes as the US continues striking Iranian targets. Tehran had reportedly instructed the Houthis to open the Red Sea front if Washington attacked Iran’s electricity and energy infrastructure.
