Yemen has warned the European Union “do not play with fire” in the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Yemen’s warning comes as the EU sends warships to the Red Seas amidst rising attacks by Houthi rebels on cargo vessels.

A high-ranking Yemeni official has warned the EU against “supporting the American devil to protect [Israel]” following the formal launch of the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea. “For Europeans, do not play with fire. Take a lesson from Britain,” Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, said via social media on February 20th.

“You do not need the support of the American devil in protecting the occupying entity so that it can exterminate the people of Gaza with no disturbance,” al-Houthi added, stressing that “international navigation is safe.”

His message followed an announcement by Brussels of the official launch of the EU naval operation codenamed Aspides – Greek for shield. “I welcome today’s decision … Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners. Beyond crisis response, it’s a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said via social media.

I welcome today’s decision to launch the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides.

Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners.

Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2024

According to a report by The Cradle, France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium have said they will contribute ships to the EU mission in support of Israel.

United States Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said that Washington’s conflict against Yemen in the Red Sea is one of the largest battles the US Navy has fought since the end of World War II. “I think you’d have to go back to World War II where you have ships who are engaged in combat,” Cooper told CBS News 60 Minutes in an interview broadcast Sunday. “When I say engaged in combat, where they’re getting shot at, we’re getting shot at, and we’re shooting back,” he continued.

It looks like the ruling class is finally admitting that this is a hot global conflict. Have we escalated to World War 3 yet? Possibly, but it so far has not been admitted by any ruler or its lapdog media outlets.