Houthi Blitz Leaves Saudi Arabia Exposed, Iran Emboldened
Houthi forces now can hit ships with artillery and rockets, and officials warn the strait could be used to pressure global commerce.
- Last week, Houthi forces seized ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and occupied Mayyun Island, also known as Perim, in the middle of the vital shipping passage. The offensive marks a significant tactical shift in Yemen's conflict.
- Analysts describe the Houthi breakthrough as a glaring intelligence failure, citing deep divisions among anti-Houthi Yemeni factions. The collapse of local forces allowed militants to secure ground previously held by Saudi-backed troops.
- Before current conflicts, the 20-mile-wide passage carried about 30 percent of global container traffic. Disrupting this choke point forces ships to navigate around Africa, adding thousands of miles and increased costs for goods.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman traveled to Cairo seeking military assistance, yet received no immediate commitment. Western officials indicate neither the United States nor European allies are prepared to provide direct military backing.
- Iran's strategy to build armed networks in fractured states provides Tehran with strategic leverage without fighting directly. Analysts warn the front lines often shift, leaving the Houthis positioned to remain a wildcard in regional power competitions.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Conversation
The Daily AdvanceHouthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen
Seizure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait complicates a widening conflict in the Persian Gulf. It also risks reigniting Yemen’s civil war.
Yemen's reignited conflict shows Iran war's fire is spreading
The dormant conflict in Yemen has erupted once more, with the Houthi rebel group seizing control of the Red Sea port city of Mocha and a number of islands from Yemeni government forces in recent weeks. This has given the Houthis a foothold close to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key trade gateway linking Asia […]
Al-Monitor
Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened
By Samia Nakhoul and Timour AzhariANKARA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Houthi capture of ground overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has dealt Saudi Arabia its gravest setback in Yemen in years, exposing intelligence failures, the collapse of Yemeni allies and the limits of U.S. protection.A Houthi advance this week along the Red Sea coast and the capture of islands at the mouth of the strait, a vital artery for global oil supplies, has also left the…
Yemen’s Gate of Tears: How another critical waterway became Iran’s wild card
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a narrow passage of water separating the Arabian Peninsula from Africa. From the north, it connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. From the south, it provides access through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. Before the current wars, this passage carried about 30 percent …
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