Houthis Tell US They Won't Attack Its Ships, Warn Saudi Allies

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they will not attack US ships in the Red Sea but will continue military operations against Saudi Arabia, as Washington and Tehran await a response on ending the conflict. Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti told the Associated Press that indirect contacts with the US occurred through Oman, confirming the group's focus remains on Saudi targets until Riyadh lifts its blockade. He warned other countries against joining Saudi Arabia's renewed campaign in Yemen's civil war. The Houthis claim Saudi forces conducted 28 air attacks in the past 24 hours and 760 since escalation began. The fighting has ended a 2022 ceasefire after Houthi forces captured the port city of Mokha, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which carries 12% of global trade.