Houthi Official: Our Stance on Gaza Will Not Change Due to Naval Coalition

Mohammed Abdul Salam, the chief negotiator for the Houthis, told Reuters on Tuesday that the Iran-aligned Yemeni group will not change its stance on the conflict in Gaza due to the formation of a multinational naval coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea. He added that the U.S.-led naval coalition is "unnecessary in the first place," and that the waters adjacent to Yemen are safe for everyone except Israeli vessels or ships heading to Israel, due to the "unjust aggressive war on Palestine and the blockade on the Gaza Strip." U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the launch of a multinational operation to protect trade in the Red Sea following a series of missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis on ships.