Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said Thursday that his movement is closely monitoring developments in Somaliland and Israeli activity aimed at controlling the Bab el-Mandeb strait. He threatened preemptive attacks against any Israeli presence in Somalia, calling on Red Sea states to form a unified front against Israeli activity — the second such threat in a matter of hours, according to Telegram sources.
Thursday evening, Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi escalated rhetoric against Israel's growing maritime posture in the Red Sea basin. In a statement published via official Telegram channels, he warned that the Houthis would not sit idly by if Israel establishes a presence in Somalia, and would initiate attacks against any Israeli foothold there at any time.
This marks the second direct threat from the Houthi leader within hours — following an earlier statement Thursday afternoon in which he threatened attacks on Israeli presence in Somaliland. The two statements together signal a more aggressive and geographically expanded doctrine against Israeli naval ambitions at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israeli shipping and territory with ballistic missiles and drones since 2026. Israel's defense minister warned two days ago that the Houthi leader would be eliminated if he came into Israeli crosshairs.
3 developments
- ConfirmedKatz threatens Houthi leader: 'If he comes into our crosshairs — he will be eliminated'
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesperson claims missile strike on Jaffa, announces full ban on Israeli Red Sea shipping
- StrongSomaliland FM: No red lines on Israeli military presence; expects more recognition to follow
- DevelopingHouthis warn they will not remain idle amid aggression in Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake