In a concerning development, the Houthi armed group of Yemen has announced its intention to widen the scope of its attacks, targeting ships associated with Israel in the Indian Ocean. The group's leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi, made this announcement on Thursday (March 14), as reported by Reuters.

Abdul Malik Al Houthi declared that the Houthi rebels would now intercept ships linked to Israel not only in the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden but also in the Indian Ocean. He emphasized their determination to prevent ships sailing toward South Africa's Uttamasha Antareep, indicating an escalation in their maritime activities.

The leader asserted that the primary objective behind these attacks is to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza, indicating a strategic shift in the group's tactics. By targeting ships associated with Israel, the Houthi rebels aim to disrupt maritime activities and challenge Israel's interests in the region.

The announcement comes in the wake of a recent incident involving Somali pirates boarding the ship 'MV Abdullah' en route from Maputo port in Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The vessel, owned by SR Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of Kabir Group of Chittagong, was seized by pirates, with all 23 sailors onboard being Bangladeshis.

As per reports, the pirates have demanded a hefty ransom of '50 million' US dollars for the release of the sailors. The ship, now anchored 20 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, poses a significant security concern, highlighting the growing threats faced by maritime vessels in the region.

The Houthi rebels' declaration to target ships associated with Israel in the Indian Ocean adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict and raises alarms about the potential for further destabilization in the region. With tensions escalating and maritime security at risk, the international community faces mounting challenges in addressing the complex dynamics underlying the conflict in Yemen and its repercussions on global maritime operations.