Yemen's Houthis say they do not seek to expand Red Sea attacks
(VOVWORLD) - Yemen's Houthis have said they did not intend to expand their attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea further, beyond their stated aims of blockading Israel and retaliating against the US and the UK for air strikes.
Spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters the group had no plans to target Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen's populated areas, have attacked ships at the mouth of the Red Sea since October, in what they say is a show of solidarity with Palestinians by targeting vessels linked to Israel.
The Houthi attacks have forced international shipping companies to route trade between Europe and Asia around Africa, adding time and costs.
The United States and Britain bombed Houthi targets last week in what they called an intervention to keep one of the world's busiest shipping routes open.