Escalating Aggression by Yemeni Houthis Seen as Possible Spark for All-Out Mideast War

The Yemeni Houthis, testing the patience of their neighbors, as well as of America and Israel, are escalating their aggression, with the latest test being the seizure of a cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea over the weekend. Will such provocations spark an all-out Mideast war? 

Financed, trained, and armed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Houthis have since October 7 launched numerous medium-range missiles at Israel. American, Israeli, and Saudi defenses have intercepted the attacks. Yet, the interruption of a major shipping artery could lead to wider ramifications. 

On Monday, the Houthis released a dramatic video showing a helicopter, believed to be a Soviet-era MI-17, landing on the deck of the Galaxy Leader as it raced on the high seas, seizing its 25-member crew at gunpoint and taking control of the 620-foot vessel. The assailants can be heard bellowing the Houthi battle cry, “God is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Cursed be the Jews, Victory to Islam.”