The Houthis feel “emboldened” after strikes by the US and UK last week, a journalist who specialises in Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula has said.
“All their statements have said that they will continue to attack vessels in the Red Sea – they will particularly target US and UK vessels or warships,” Iona Craig told Sky News a short while ago as news broke that a US-owned ship was hit off Yemen.
“They relish nothing more than the idea of attacking or being at war with America – so this has almost been handed to them now, and it gives them this kind of hero status,” Ms Craig added.
“It’s central to their identity, being able to have this fight with America.”
She added that the Houthis will have seen the airstrikes as a declaration of war.
“The US and the UK see it as an act of self-defense… and that is a huge gap in that perception – and that’s why we’re into dangerous territory of escalation.”
No stabbing during ‘terror attacks’ near Tel Aviv
Despite initial media reports, there was no stabbing involved in the terror incident reported by Israeli police in the town of Ra’anana earlier, according to Sky News.
Initial reports suggested that two Palestinian men, who are related and have since been arrested, had stabbed a driver of a car and used the vehicle to ram civilians.
However, according to Bunkall, there was no stabbing.
At least one person has died and at least 12 others have been injured, according to emergency services.
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