Houthi rebels are ‘banking’ on regional escalation

Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge says the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are banking on regional escalation. “Words are not deterring the Houthis, that statement that Australia joined from 20 nations telling the Houthis horrible things would happen if they kept doing what they were doing, has done nothing,” he told Sky News host Caleb Bond. “The Houthi have actually escalated their attacks. “Yes, there’s the prospect of regional escalation, but that’s what the Houthis are banking on. “They're saying if you try and stop us attacking international shipping then you might risk a wider war so don’t do it. “But unfortunately that international trade route through the Red Sea is too important to be held hostage to the Houthi.”