Sanaa: Any foreign interference in our waters is legitimate target
4 Min Read
Top Yemeni commanders and officials hail the heightened pace of operations by the Yemeni Armed Forces against Israeli targets.
-
The Galaxy Leader is seen at the port of Koper, Slovenia, on Sept. 16, 2008 (AP)
Brigadier General Mohammed Ali Al-Qadri, the Commander of the Coastal Defense Forces, affirmed that the Armed Forces are fully prepared. "We have prepared the necessary equipment, and we assure our Yemeni people that our forces are ready to undertake any military missions," he said on Monday.
Al-Qadri added, "We are entering a new phase, marked by a qualitative development in the naval and coastal defense forces deployed across a wide expanse of the western coast." He also emphasized the possession of suitable weapons and missiles, stating, "We are equipped to address any developments with the appropriate ammunition and range, and we can launch strikes at any chosen time or location."
Footage of the #Yemeni Armed Forces capturing the Israeli-owned ship, #GalaxyLeader, in the #RedSea yesterday. pic.twitter.com/AjKWido2OA
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 20, 2023
The commander of the Yemeni Coastal Defense Forces issued a warning against any foreign interference in "our territorial waters or Yemeni islands," emphasizing that such actions would elicit an appropriate and legitimate response from Yemen's forces.
Read next: US Navy warship intercepts missiles, drones off Yemen coast: Pentagon
Meanwhile, the Shura Council in Sanaa reiterated its backing for the ramped-up and sustained qualitative operations conducted by the Yemeni Armed Forces, targeting "Israel" both in the Red Sea and deep within the occupied territories. This support shall continue "until the aggression against Palestine ceases and the occupier withdraws from all Palestinian territories," as stated by the Council.
The House of Representatives in Sanaa expressed support for the qualitative operation conducted by the Yemeni Armed Forces in the Red Sea, resulting in the interception of a ship affiliated with the Israeli occupation. This action followed prior warnings issued against ships associated with the Israeli entity working on its behalf.
The Council also praised the success of this qualitative operation, which demonstrated “the ability of the Navy and Coast Guard to carry out national tasks in protecting the Yemeni coast and territorial waters and advocating for the Palestinian people.” It considered that “these operations stem from a religious, national, and moral responsibility and come within the framework of the directives of the leader of the Revolution and in fulfillment of the sincere pledge to support Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the Palestinian cause.”
Read next: US warship was under attack for nine hours near coast of Yemen
Earlier on Sunday, the official spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announced that the Yemeni Naval Forces carried out a military operation in the Red Sea, resulting in the capture of an Israeli ship.
In a video statement, General Saree confirmed that the ship named Galaxy Leader was led to the Yemeni coast, emphasizing that this operation comes in support of Palestine's West Bank and Gaza. "The operations of the armed forces threaten only the ships of the Israeli entity and those owned by Israelis." The Yemeni operation came less than 8 hours after Saree released a warning on Sunday that the group intended to target any ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or bearing the Israeli flag.
Footage of the #Yemeni Armed Forces capturing the Israeli-owned ship, #GalaxyLeader, in the #RedSea yesterday. pic.twitter.com/AjKWido2OA
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 20, 2023
In the statement, Saree stressed that the crew of the Israeli ship would be treated in accordance with the teachings of Islam, renewing the warning "to all ships belonging to the Israeli enemy and those dealing with it that they will become a legitimate target for us."
The statement came shortly after reliable sources told Al Mayadeen that "the Yemeni Navy successfully detained an Israeli ship in the depths of the Red Sea," adding that 52 people were aboard the seized vessel, who are currently being investigated. The source noted that the nationalities of the crew are still being verified by relevant Yemeni authorities.
