In a statement on Monday, the EU announced the beginning of a naval mission dubbed Aspides to protect cargo ships in the Red Sea.

Reacting to the move, al-Houthi, in a message on X on Tuesday morning, urged the EU not to play with fire.

He stated that international navigation is already safe and there is no need for extra-regional presence in the strategic waterway.

“Your presence has increased the militarization of the sea, targeted international navigation, and affected the food supply chain for stores in your countries.”

The Yemeni armed forces have targeted Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea after their repeated calls on the occupying regime to end its genocidal war on Gaza went unanswered.