News - Yemen: Strategic analyst Ali Hamieh said Monday that Yemen’s latest naval strike against an Israeli enemy tanker in the Red Sea represents a major escalation in a sustained campaign of military operations aimed at supporting the Palestinian people.

Hamieh told Al-Masirah TV that the attack, carried out with a ballistic missile and announced by Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare'e, highlights Yemen’s technological advances and determination to confront Israel’s genocidal crimes and blockade against Gaza.

He stressed that the strike on the Scarlet Ray demonstrates capabilities comparable only to global powers, noting that the technology was developed domestically. According to Hamieh, this operation forms part of the fifth phase of Yemen’s military campaign, characterized by more precise targeting, advanced weaponry, and expanded objectives beyond commercial shipping to include logistical and military vessels linked to the Israeli enemy.

Hamieh recalled the Yemeni Chief of Staff’s vow that Israel’s assassination of government leaders “will not go unanswered,” warning that Zionist entity has “opened the gates of hell” by widening its confrontation with Yemen.

Tracing the evolution of operations since October 2023, Hamieh pointed to milestones from the seizure of the Galaxy Leader to the introduction of long-range, multi-warhead missiles capable of reaching speeds of Mach 15. He added that Yemen now possesses advanced air defense systems, maritime drones, and the ability to down hostile aircraft, citing the destruction of more than 20 advanced US MQ-9 and RQ-9 drones.

Hamieh emphasized that Yemen’s enforcement of navigation restrictions in Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea is directly tied to the siege on Gaza, warning that “no easing of restrictions in international waters will occur without lifting the blockade on Gaza.” He also criticized some Arab regimes for providing the Israeli entity with political, logistical, and media support, saying such actions undermine the Palestinian cause.

Looking ahead, Hamieh said Yemen is preparing for a sixth phase of military operations expected to target strategic economic assets at sea and on land, further reinforcing regional deterrence.

Since October 2023, Yemen’s Armed Forces have conducted targeted military operations in support of Palestine. Operations have included ballistic missile and drone strikes against Israeli-occupied territories and vessels in the Red Sea.

Yemen has demonstrated advanced domestic military technology, including air defense systems and maritime drones.

Analysts view Yemen’s actions as part of a strategic project to reshape regional deterrence and assert national sovereignty, linking Red Sea control with ongoing support for Gaza.