Iran is urging Yemen’s Houthi rebels to launch a campaign against shipping in the Red Sea, while there is disagreement within the group’s military leadership on further escalation, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources.
According to them, the disagreements within the Houthi leadership concern the level of aggressiveness of their actions, which partly explains why the group entered the conflict only a month after it began.
In a recent statement, the Houthis announced that they would continue military operations until US and Israeli attacks on Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, are stopped, but did not specifically mention their intention to attack tankers in the Red Sea, notes agency.
Sources also reported that American and Saudi officials have informed their European partners of a possible escalation by the Houthis. They estimate that the Yemeni group currently wants to avoid further escalation and attacks on American and Saudi facilities.
However, the sources added that the longer the war between the US and Israel against Iran continues, the greater the likelihood that the Houthis will strike ships in the Red Sea.
However, the group may delay making a decision.