Why are the Houthis escalating attacks?
The pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen are escalating their attacks, sending messages to multiple recipients.
According to the Israeli army, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile and a drone at Israel. Both attacks were intercepted. The first missile launch occurred shortly before 7 a.m. local time (6 a.m. Cyprus/Greece time), while the second interception took place a few hours later. The drone was launched at 7:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. Cyprus/Greece time).
The Houthis' messages:
- To Israel: Warning of continued attacks as long as Israeli strikes against Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas continue.
- To the international community: Possibility of blocking the passage of commercial ships through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal.
- To the USA: Warning of potential attacks against American forces in the Strait of Hormuz in the event of American intervention.
- To Saudi Arabia: Reminder of potential attacks in the event of its participation in the war against Iran.
Meanwhile, sirens are sounding in northern Israel due to Hezbollah attacks, while Iranian ballistic attacks have hit Tel Aviv and other areas. In total, eight Iranian attacks have been recorded in the last 24 hours.
Despite leaks about upcoming contacts between Iran and the USA in Islamabad, there is no confirmation of their occurrence.
Watch the interventions of Gavriil Charitou from Jerusalem and Christodoulos Athanasatos from New York on tonight's main news bulletin of ALPHA Cyprus with Nikos Symeou.