Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are sending threatening emails to Greek shipping companies warning of attacks on vessels crossing the Red Sea.
Houthi rebels are threatening Greek-flagged ships belonging to companies cooperating with Israel, according a Reuters report published on Thursday.
Through an email campaign, Iran-backed Houthi rebels are warning Greek shipping companies to stop any cooperation with Israel or face the consequences.
The email threats are also targeting Greek-flagged ships with little or no connection to Israel and directed at entire fleets.
“You bear the responsibility and consequences of including the vessel in the ban list,” said an email sent to the manager of a company whose ships were traveling through the Red Sea.
According to Reuters, the mail concerned a Greek-flagged ship which appeared to have violated a transit ban imposed by Yemen’s Houthi militia and had docked at a port in Israel. The email said the ship would be “directly targeted by the Yemeni Armed Forces in any area they deem appropriate”.
The mail is one of many sent to at least six Greek shipping companies since May and signed by the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), a body based in Yemen liaising between Houthi forces and shipping operators.
“Your ships breached the decision of Yemen Armed Forces. Therefore, punishments will be imposed on all vessels of your company … Best Regards, Yemen Navy,” read another mail to a Greek shipping company sent earlier this summer.
In August, Greek-owned oil tanker Sounion was hit by Houthi rebels. The ship was anchored at roughly 72 nautical miles west of the Yemen port of Al Hudaydah.
In view of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, several Greek shipping companies have decided to steer clear of the Red Sea.
So far the Houthis have launched some 100 attacks on vessels crossing the Red Sea, sunk two ships, and killed at least four seafarers, Reuters reports.
Nearly 30% of Houthi attacks have been launched against Greek-owned vessels, which make up one of the world’s largest fleets, according to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The data did not clarify whether these ships had connections to Israel.
