Houthi Official Suggest Potential Bab al-Mandeb Closure

(MENAFN) A Houthi official in Yemen has suggested that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, could potentially be closed amid the ongoing military escalation involving Iran, the US, and Israel, as the war enters its second month.

The Iran-backed Yemeni group launched missile strikes toward Israel on Saturday, marking its first involvement since the US and Israel began their joint offensive against Tehran last month.

“We are in joint coordination with our brothers in Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq,” Mohammed Mansour, deputy information minister in the Houthi-run government, told Al-Araby Television. He explained that the Houthis joined the conflict “to provide support to our brothers in Iran who are fighting epic battles” along with the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Mansour said the Houthi entry into the war “aims to increase pressure on Israel and the US.” “Every step we take is carefully calculated to be effective and to increase the pressure on Israel and the US,” he added.

He described Yemen’s involvement as a “moral, religious, and humanitarian responsibility toward Iran, Hezbollah, and Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces,” emphasizing that the alliance’s primary goal is to support Palestine.

Regarding strategic options, Mansour said, “The Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandeb will be among the options.” He highlighted the Red Sea’s importance as one of the world’s most heavily used routes for oil and fuel shipments.

“We have extensive experience in naval and land operations, and our previous intervention to support Gaza was one of the important surprises for the world," the Houthi official said.

The Houthi group had previously launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and shipping lanes in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s deadly offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 72,000 deaths since October 2023.

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