Houthi threaten to shut Bab al-Mandab, Yemen sees Iran model
The move raises the risk of disruption to Red Sea shipping after Houthi previously declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
Yemen Foreign Minister Afrah Al Zouba said the Houthi militia wants to imitate Iran by closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait and controlling the Red Sea. He made the remarks at the Yemen Embassy in Riyadh on Monday (27/7) as the Houthi-Saudi conflict heated up again. According to Reuters, the threat came after Saudi struck Sana'a airport last week. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree then described the strike as an act of aggression that voided the informal truce in place since March 2022. Houthi later attacked Abha international airport and on 20 July declared a sea blockade on Saudi Arabia. Yemen's internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi, said it was ready to face escalation, but continued to urge an end to the conflict as soon as possible.