Houthi Leader: Italy Will Become a Target If It Joins Attacks in Yemen

A senior leader of the Iranian-aligned Houthi group in Yemen stated in an interview published today, Monday, that Italy will become a target if it participates in attacks against sites in Yemen. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi told the daily newspaper La Repubblica that Italy should remain neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and pressure Israel to stop attacks on Gaza, noting that this would be the only way to achieve peace in the region. Italy announced on Friday that it would send an admiral to lead an EU naval mission in the Red Sea aimed at protecting ships from Houthi attacks. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that the mission, which is set to begin in mid-February, aims to protect commercial vessels and intercept attacks, but it will not take part in strikes against the Houthis.