The Houthis of Yemen declare they intend to strike US ships

The Houthi movement in Yemen will now attack American ships, an official from the organisation linked with Iran announced on Monday.

According to Houthi spokesperson Nasruldeen Amer, "the ship doesn't necessarily have to be heading to Israel for us to target it; it is enough for it to be American," as reported to Al Jazeera.

"The United States is on the verge of losing its maritime security."

Amer said that as a result of the strikes carried out on Yemen last week by the two nations, American and British ships have turned into "legitimate targets".

Since October, the Houthis, who claim to be acting in sympathy with Palestinians, have been attacking ships, disrupting trade and frightening global nations in an effort to escalate Israel's conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza, a conflict that has lasted more than three months.

According to British Maritime Security company Ambrey, a missile seems to have impacted a U.S.-owned bulk carrier close to Yemen's port of Aden in the most recent incident, resulting in a fire in the hold but no casualties among those on board.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)