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Houthi Join the Fight, Threaten to Close Red Sea Straits

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Yemen’s Houthi movement has announced it is entering the escalating regional conflict on the side of Iran, warning it plans to target US naval assets in the Red Sea.

In a statement released by a representative of the group, the Iran-aligned movement said: “We will strike American ships in the Red Sea. This war is a fight for the entire Ummah.”

The declaration marks a further widening of tensions across the Middle East, as Iran’s network of regional allies signals a greater willingness to engage directly amid ongoing hostilities involving Israel, the US and Gulf states.

Tehran is keeping the threat of ordering Houthis to take up arms in reserve, say analysts, as they could close the access to the Red Sea and cut off all oil and gas produced in the Gulf from reaching international markets. Iranian officials told Tasnim News: if the US launches a military attack on Iran’s main export terminal on Kharg island, Iran will activate the Houthis to shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait and block access to the Red Sea. Bab al-Mandab Strait — handles 10% of all global trade.

The US spent $1bn trying to stop Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping in 2024. and failed. Ships were forced to reroute around Africa and shippign costs went up 400% at that time. (Read more from “Houthi Join the Fight, Threaten to Close Red Sea Straits” HERE)

Houthis Post Message Involving American Flag Draped Coffins After Trump Launches Strike In Yemen

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The Houthi rebels in Yemen have posted a cryptic video featuring American flag-draped coffins in response to President Donald Trump’s “decisive and powerful” airstrikes against the terrorist group on Saturday.

The video opens with an animated coffin draped in the American flag drifting on the ocean’s surface. As mournful music plays in the background, the camera gradually zooms out, revealing a haunting scene of numerous other flag-draped coffins floating away from wrecked Navy vessels.

This follows Trump’s authorization of a “powerful” military strike against the Iranian-backed rebels, who have been behind numerous destabilizing actions in the Middle East. The president emphasized that he would not tolerate such behavior, criticizing former President Joe Biden for being “pathetically weak” in handling the situation.

“To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The Houthis’ political bureau described Trump’s attacks as a “war crime” and are “fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation.” (Read more from “Houthis Post Message Involving American Flag Draped Coffins After Trump Launches Strike In Yemen” HERE)

‘Simply Not Going To Be Messed With’: U.S. Planning For Houthi Retaliation, Pentagon Official Says

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The Iran-backed Houthis are likely to retaliate for strikes the U.S. and United Kingdom conducted on dozens of targets in Yemen the rebels used to launch attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. military vessels, a top Pentagon military officer said Friday.

Neither the U.S. nor the Houthis yet know the extent of the damage from Thursday evening’s bombardment, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, who heads the Joint Staff’s operations directorate, said on a call with reporters. But, Sims said it’s “within the DNA” of the Houthis to continue attacks that do not bring them any immediate benefit despite realizing that the U.S. will not relent in efforts to secure freedom in international waters.

“My guess is that the Houthis are trying to figure things out on the ground and trying to determine what capabilities still exist for them. As you know, their rhetoric has been pretty strong and pretty high. I would expect that they will attempt some sort of retaliation,” Sims said.

U.S. aircraft, warships and one submarine fired 15o of various kinds of munitions at dozens of targets in 28 locations, Sims said. After striking more than 60 targets, including radars, missile launch sites and storage facilities, munitions depots and other targets at 16 locations, the U.S. conducted a second round of strikes on 12 more targets, Sims said.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile at a commercial vessel Friday after the strikes, Sims confirmed. The missile missed its target but demonstrates the group’s persistence in attempting to shut down trade through the critical waterway, according to Sims.

(Read more from “‘Simply Not Going To Be Messed With’: U.S. Planning For Houthi Retaliation, Pentagon Official Says” HERE)

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Iran-Backed Militants Storm US Embassy in Yemen

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The State Department is working to secure the release of several kidnapped hostages taken by Iran-backed terrorists just a day after the militant group stormed the U.S. embassy facility in Sana’a, Yemen, U.S. officials told the Washington Free Beacon early Thursday.

A group of Houthi rebels reportedly stormed the U.S. compound on Wednesday seeking “large quantities of equipment and materials,” according to regional reports translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute. The raid comes just five days after the Houthis kidnapped Yemeni nationals who work for the U.S. embassy. “The alleged raid comes after the Houthis kidnapped three Yemeni nationals affiliated with the U.S. Embassy from one of the employee’s private residences in Sana’a on November 5,” according to MEMRI. At least 22 other Yemenis were kidnapped by the Houthis in recent weeks, “most of whom worked on the security staff guarding the embassy grounds,” according to MEMRI.

The State Department confirmed to the Free Beacon that the Yemeni staffers are being detained without explanation and that the Iran-backed militants stole property after breaching the American facility in Sana’a, which housed U.S. embassy staff prior to the suspension of operations there in 2015.

“The United States has been unceasing in its diplomatic efforts to secure their release,” a State Department spokesman told the Free Beacon. “The majority of the detained have been released, but the Houthis continue to detain additional Yemeni employees of the embassy.” (Read more from “Iran-Backed Militants Storm US Embassy in Yemen” HERE)

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Airport Explosion in Yemen Kills 25 People and Wounds 100

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Multiple people were killed and many more injured during a devastating blast at an airport in Yemen on Wednesday.

At least 25 were killed and 110 wounded shortly after a plane arrived carrying the newly formed, Saudi-backed Yemeni government, according to the Associated Press. Yemen’s government claimed four ballistic missiles were shot at Aden airport by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. . .

Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed claimed and the Associated Press reported that members of the government were left unscathed, but Aden al-Ghad, a local news outlet, has, according to NPR, reported that at least one junior official was killed in the explosion and several other officials were wounded. NPR added no one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

“Of course, when we heard the first explosion, we tried to understand what was happening, we were confused about whether it was an explosive or a drone or a rocket,” said a journalist and researcher for the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies. He believes that the explosion was likely the result of a missile attack. “Most of us were terrified and confused because we didn’t know what was happening or where the threat was coming from. So people were running and attempting to escape the danger.” (Read more from “Airport Explosion in Yemen Kills 25 People and Wounds 100” HERE)

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Trump Secures Release of American Hostage in Yemen

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On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that he had secured the release of Danny Burch, a U.S. citizen from Texas who was held hostage in Yemen for 18 months.

Burch was an employee for the Yemeni Safer oil company when Houthi rebels reportedly abducted him from the capital in broad daylight while dropping his children off at a school event in September 2017, the National Review reports.

“It is my honor today to announce that Danny Burch, a United States citizen who has been held hostage in Yemen for 18 months, has been recovered and reunited with his wife and children,” Trump tweeted. “I appreciate the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home.” . . .

“Danny’s recovery reflects the best of what the United States & its partners can accomplish. We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States Government and with our foreign partners. Recovering American hostages is a priority of my Admin, and with Danny’s release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory. We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home!”

“In 2017, U.S. citizen Danny Burch was taken hostage from Sanaa, Yemen. Today he is safe and secure, and is reunited with his wife and children,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, USA Today reports. “The family has asked for privacy as they recover from this ordeal.” (Read more from “Trump Secures Release of American Hostage in Yemen” HERE)

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Yemen Ports Closed After 17 Killed in Aden Attack Compared by Saudis to ‘Act of War’

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The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen closed off the land, sea and air ports to the Arab world’s poorest country early Monday after a rebel-fired ballistic missile targeted Riyadh, blaming the launch on Iran and warning it could be “considered as an act of war.”

The coalition’s statement ramps up tensions between the ultraconservative Sunni kingdom and its Shiite rival Iran, both of which have interests in Yemen’s yearslong conflict. The bloodshed continued Sunday as an Islamic State-claimed militant attack in Aden killed at least 17 people.

In a statement, the coalition accused Iran of supplying Yemen’s Houthi rebels and their allies with the missile launched Saturday toward the Saudi capital’s international airport.

Iran has backed the rebels, but denies arming them. The Houthi militants have said their Volcano-variant ballistic missile is locally produced.

The Saudi-led coalition’s statement said the closures would be temporary and “take into account” the work of humanitarian and aid organizations. The war has claimed more than 10,000 lives and driven the Arab world’s poorest country to the brink of famine. (Read more from “Yemen Ports Closed After 17 Killed in Aden Attack Compared by Saudis to ‘Act of War'” HERE)

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Why the First US Military Raid Under Trump Was in Yemen

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Decorated U.S. Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens was tragically killed this weekend in Yemen. The first publicly acknowledged U.S. raid under President Donald Trump did not go as smoothly as planned, though the Pentagon labelled the mission — which reportedly killed 14 militants — a success. According to Reuters, the U.S. special ops mission targeted Abdulrauf al Dhabab, a senior al Qaeda leader.

The mission hit a snag when the SEAL team’s V-22 Osprey endured a “hard landing,” injuring at least three service members. Additionally, the SEAL Team 6 crew unexpectedly faced resistance from multiple female jihadis, which vastly complicated the mission and may have resulted in the deaths of civilians caught in the crossfire. However, according to U.S. Central Command, the SEALs secured “information that will likely provide insight into the planning of future terror plots.”

So, was it all worth it? And what brought the nation’s most decorated warriors into Yemen in the first place?

The continuing destabilization of the Middle East nation has created a void filled by the world’s most dangerous terrorists, who use the state to plan missions both domestically and abroad.

Civil War

There is an ongoing civil war in Yemen that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers, militants, and civilians. Much of the country has become a battleground between a Saudi-led coalition (which includes the United States) and Iran-backed Houthi insurgents. Amidst the chaos, a vacuum has been created that has allowed the local Islamic State and al Qaeda branches to flourish, leaving only the U.S. and its allies to check their vast expansion.

AQAP

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is headquartered in Yemen, is without a doubt the most dangerous al Qaeda affiliate worldwide. The group has managed to control swaths of territory in Yemen and has a global reach that extends to the United States and Europe.

AQAP, which is tasked with coordinating overseas attacks against America and its allies, was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. in 2010. It has on several occasions managed to infiltrate and carry out terror plots in Western countries. The group urges recruits inside America to “strike at home,” as damaging the U.S. is their most important duty.

Many of AQAP’s devotees are inspired by the late al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, the deceased imam who left America after 9/11 to became the leader of the al Qaeda Yemen branch. Several U.S.-based terrorists, including the shooters at Ft. Hood and Chattanooga drew motivation from Awlaki.

The 2009 Christmas Day “Underwear Bomber” — a Nigerian native who planned on bringing down a commercial jet — carried out his orders directly from AQAP. Thankfully, he failed to detonate his explosives.

Additionally, the tragic 2015 mass killings at the “Charlie Hebdo” offices in Paris was the work of AQAP jihadis.

Islamic State-Yemen

ISIS, like AQAP, also controls territory in Yemen, under the name Wilayat Sanaa — or, the Sanaa Province (of the Islamic State). The group, which seeks to impose a worldwide caliphate under its rule, has successfully conducted massive suicide missions, which have killed hundreds and wounded countless more. Islamic State operations in Yemeni provinces are a relatively new phenomenon, but the terror outfit has shown that it can operate and plan major attacks in the country.

U.S. counterterrorism efforts

America’s counterterrorism strategy in Yemen during the Obama administration relied on drone strikes and small, specialized military raids on jihadi compounds inside the country. In 2015, a U.S. drone strike killed AQAP’s No. 2 in charge. As previously mentioned, al-Awlaki was also taken out thanks to a U.S. drone strike.

Whether the strategy has been a success is a matter of debate. Experts have pointed out that targeted killings of AQAP leaders may temporarily weaken the group, but new leaders will emerge as long as the group has a safe haven in Yemen. Therefore, U.S. officials have expanded the mission to, at times, deploy special ops on the ground for aggressive missions on AQAP strongholds.

As details unfold pertaining to the past weekend’s raid in Yemen, what’s clear is that the country has become the perfect environment to plot jihadi terror against the United States. It appears that President Trump has recognized the threat and dedicated his first mission toward helping to eradicate the menace in the Gulf. (For more from the author of “Why the First US Military Raid Under Trump Was in Yemen” please click HERE)

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U.S. Gives Yemeni (Al Qaeda Hotbed) Nationals “Temporary” Amnesty

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us-department-of-homeland-security-officeJust when it seemed like President Obama’s immigration policies couldn’t possibly get worse, the administration is offering “temporary” amnesty to nationals of an Islamic Middle Eastern country well known as an Al Qaeda breeding ground.

You can’t make this stuff up! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to illegal aliens from Yemen, headquarters of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). In its latest Country Reports on Terrorism, the State Department reveals that AQAP militants carried out hundreds of attacks including suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), ambushes, kidnappings and targeted assassinations. The media has also documented this for years with one in-depth report confirming that “Yemen has emerged as the breeding grounds for some of the most high-profile plans to attack the U.S. homeland.”

Why would the U.S. extend to a humanitarian measure designed to temporarily shield illegal immigrants from deportation during emergencies to citizens of this notorious terrorist hub? A stunned Homeland Security official told Judicial Watch that this creates “obvious dangers” because the U.S. government has a “total inability to screen, ID or verify the records” of Yemeni nationals. Remember that the convicted terrorist who planned to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit on Christmas in 2009 trained in Yemen and the plot was organized by Al Qaeda leaders in Yemen. Also of interest is the fact that at least a dozen terrorists freed from the U.S. military compound in Guantanamo have joined Al Qaeda in Yemen. Last year a study published by the RAND Corporation concluded that the most significant threat to the United States comes from terrorist groups operating in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Read more from “U.S. Gives Yemeni (Al Qaeda Hotbed) Nationals “Temporary” Amnesty” HERE)

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Obama Releases Yemeni Suspects Despite Them Being Classified as ‘High Risk’

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Six detainees have been freed from Guantanamo Bay after 13 years – but Britain’s last inmate remains behind bars.

Shaker Aamer was not among the men released from the controversial military prison, dealing another painful blow to his anguished family in London.

Officials at the US Department of Defence revealed the Yemeni terror suspects had been let out even though they have been classified as ‘high risk’. The captives have been sent to Oman in the Middle East.

They included two men accused of being Osama bin Laden’s bodyguards and an alleged Al Qaeda soldier who fought in a group called the ‘Martyr’s Brigade’.

The US is refusing to say why Mr Aamer, 48, remains languishing in captivity despite President Barack Obama telling David Cameron during top-level talks in January that his release was a ‘priority’. (Read more from “Obama Releases Yemeni Suspects Despite Being Classified as ‘High Risk'” HERE)

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