Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten new Red Sea attack as US aircraft carrier heads toward Iran

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels threaten new attacks on ships traveling through the Red Sea corridor, likely trying to back Iran as it worried about an approaching US aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump threatened military action over its crackdown on nationwide protests.

A short video by the Houthis includes previously published images of a ship on fire, with the caption: “Soon.” The rebels do not elaborate, but they attacked over 100 ships in the Red Sea as part of a campaign the Houthis said pressured Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis halted their fire after a ceasefire in the conflict, though they’ve repeatedly warned they could resume fire if needed.

They also fired hundreds of missiles and rockets at Israel over the past two years.

The Houthi threat comes as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided missile destroyers with it move toward the region. Trump has said the ships are being moved “just in case” he decides to take action against Iran. Trump already has laid out two red lines for attack — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions of those it has arrested in a massive crackdown over the demonstrations.