Yemeni Army Intercepts Four Houthi Explosive Boats Near Red Sea Islands

(MENAFN) Yemen's army said Monday it intercepted four explosive-laden Houthi boats attempting to approach the Hanish and Zuqar islands in the Red Sea, as military tensions in the country continue to climb.

The Yemeni Armed Forces Media Center said in a statement posted on X that naval and coastal defense units clashed repeatedly with four Houthi "suicide boats" after spotting them near the two islands.

The boats tried to close in on the islands — which are held by government forces and sit along key international shipping lanes — before naval forces moved in and intercepted them, the statement said.

The army reported "heavy" Houthi boat activity throughout the day as the group made repeated attempts to approach the government-controlled islands.

Earlier Monday, the government-aligned National Resistance Forces said they too had tracked repeated movements by Houthi explosive boats on Sunday and Monday as the vessels tried to approach the island. Naval forces intercepted them, the group said, without offering further specifics.

The Houthis have not responded to either statement.

The incidents mark the latest in a fresh wave of escalation between Yemen's government forces and the Houthis in recent weeks, unfolding as the country continues to endure one of the world's most severe humanitarian and economic crises.

Yemen has seen relative calm since 2022, following years of war between government forces and the Houthis, who have held Sanaa and other parts of the country since 2014.

A Saudi-led coalition backs Yemen's internationally recognized government, while Iran is accused of supporting the Houthis — who announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in July.

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