Middle East: Yemen continues to escalate its military operations and tighten the naval blockade against the Israeli enemy, as the Yemeni Armed Forces officially announced the launch of the fourth phase of escalation in support of Gaza.

Amid the ongoing massacres and starvation war waged by the Zionist entity against Gaza’s civilians, Yemen has broadened its offensive options. The new phase of the blockade now targets all vessels operated by any company dealing with Israeli ports, regardless of the ship’s type, nationality, or location—so long as Yemeni forces can reach it.

Military analysts describe this move as “the most significant and strategic transformation” in the maritime siege on Israel. Including major global shipping firms in the ban is seen as a “crippling strike to supply chains,” forcing companies into a binary choice: either cut ties with Israel or risk direct attack.

Strategic Decision and Comprehensive Blockade

Military affairs expert Zain Al-Abideen Othman told Al-Masirah that this fourth escalation phase marks a qualitative and strategic shift in the naval blockade against Israel.

He explained that the ban now applies to all shipping companies linked to Israel, targeting every affiliated ship, unlike the previous phase that focused only on directly involved vessels.

He added that the strike zone has expanded to include the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and possibly beyond—according to the range of Yemen’s missile and drone capabilities.

Othman emphasized that the decision was not reactionary but a calculated strategy by Yemen’s revolutionary leadership, led by Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, in response to developments in Gaza and as a deterrence strategy against Israel and the US, who continue committing massacres and using starvation as a weapon against over two million Palestinians.

He stated that this phase aims to shift from tactical pressure to full-scale strategic naval blockade, crippling Israel’s remaining ports—especially Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean.

The inclusion of global shipping giants in the blacklist, he added, is a devastating blow to Israel’s supply chains. International carriers now face a stark decision: withdraw from Israeli dealings or face attack.

This escalation is also designed to apply global economic pressure to isolate Israel, Othman said, affirming Yemen's military capability to enforce its threats.

He cited successful drone and missile strikes deep into occupied Palestine, including the full shutdown of Umm al-Rashrash Port (Eilat), and the targeting of Israel-bound ships across the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean as proof of Yemen's ability to enforce a maritime boycott on global firms.

Tactical Surprises and Precision Strikes

Brigadier General Hashem Wajih al-Din, a military expert, stated that Yemen’s front in support of Gaza has become a central force shaping the battlefield against the Zionist entity.

He told Al-Masirah that Yemen's impact lies in its ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones that strike sensitive and strategic targets deep inside Israeli territory—causing significant material and human losses, forcing settlers into shelters, and sustaining an atmosphere of fear.

Naval operations, he added, have choked off shipping access to Israeli ports, completely disabling Umm al-Rashrash and partially paralyzing others—severely impacting the Israeli economy and prompting it to seek costly and ineffective alternatives.

Wajih al-Din stressed that Yemen will remain active until a complete ceasefire and end of the siege on Gaza is achieved, including the delivery of food and medical aid—a stance solidified by both political and military leadership under Sayyed Abdulmalik, and backed by widespread popular support.

He pointed to the weekly mass demonstrations in more than 1,200 locations across Sana’a and free provinces as proof of Yemenis’ revolutionary spirit and firm resolve to continue their support.

He also noted that the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with its starvation crimes against women and children, has amplified public outrage—accelerating the launch of this new escalation phase.

“This is not a media stunt,” he said, but a serious military escalation, backed by Yemen’s growing arsenal and capacity. He confirmed that Yemeni strikes will intensify in the coming phase—both on land and at sea.

He concluded by revealing that Yemen possesses a sophisticated arsenal of missiles, drones, and modern attack boats soon to be deployed—capable of shifting the course of the conflict. New, high-value targets are also on the list and will be hit at the right time—inflicting critical damage on the enemy and forcing an end to the aggression.

Finally, he reiterated the unwavering determination of Yemen’s revolutionary, political, and military leadership to escalate by all means necessary until the blockade ends and aggression against Gaza ceases—expressing full confidence in Yemen’s ability to achieve these goals.

Translated by Almasirah English website