Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebel movement has over recent months issued threats by email to German shipping companies, the German shipping association (VDR) said on Monday.
The threats have been directed at companies whose ships use Israeli ports and pass through waters close to Yemen, the Hamburg-based VDR said.
“The Houthi rebels evidently have closely researched email addresses, as the threats are sent to individual contacts as well,” VDR manager Irina Haesler said.
She described the emails as targeted attempts at intimidation and said the VDR was in contact with the security authorities. How many threatening emails have been received was not revealed.
Since the start of the Gaza war, the Houthis have been attacking ships they link in any way to Israel as they pass close to Yemen on their way to and from the Suez Canal.
The attacks are aimed at supporting Hamas in the Gaza Strip and forcing Israel to withdraw its forces.
Many shipping companies have responded by taking the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope.
