Houthis threaten Bab-el-Mandeb Strait amid Iran-backed operations

The Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi movement, whose attacks on the Red Sea have caused chaos in international shipping and trade during the war in Gaza, is reportedly ready to strike this key waterway again in solidarity with Tehran, one of the Houthi leaders told Reuters.

If the Houthis open a new front in the conflict, one of the obvious targets would be the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen’s coast—a crucial shipping channel and narrow passage controlling maritime routes to the Suez Canal, especially after Iran effectively blocked the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s allies in Lebanon and Iraq have joined the regional war, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran. However, the well-armed Yemeni Houthi rebels, capable of striking neighboring Gulf countries and creating significant disruptions to maritime traffic around the Arabian Peninsula, have not yet entered the fighting.

“We ​stand fully militarily ready with all options. As for other details having to do with determining zero hour they are left to leadership and ​we are monitoring and following up with the developments and will know when is the suitable time to move,” said the Houthi leader, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

“Until now Iran is doing well and is defeating the enemy every day and the battle is going in its direction. ​If anything contrary to this happens then we can assess,” he added.