Yemen's Houthi movement is preparing to open a new front in the Iran conflict by potentially blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, The Telegraph reported, citing regional sources.
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Yemen's Houthi movement is preparing to open a new front in the Iran conflict by potentially blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, The Telegraph reported, citing regional sources.
According to the report, the Houthis are expanding their influence toward the Horn of Africa and are coordinating with the Somali militant group al-Shabab in an effort to gain influence over both sides of the strategic waterway. The sources alleged that Iran is supporting the effort as part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on the United States and global shipping.
Bab el-Mandeb links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, with around 10–12% of global maritime trade passing through the strait each year. Analysts warn that any closure would force commercial vessels to sail around southern Africa, adding weeks to shipping times and significantly increasing transportation costs worldwide.
The report says the Houthis have not yet moved to close the strait but are preparing for such a scenario. One source claimed Tehran is holding back because it does not want to "use all its cards at the same time."
According to The Telegraph, Iranian media affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have previously described Bab el-Mandeb as a potential "second front" alongside the Strait of Hormuz in a wider regional conflict.
Analysts quoted by the newspaper cautioned that while the Houthis remain closely aligned with Iran, they pursue their own strategic objectives and are not fully controlled by Tehran. They said closing Bab el-Mandeb could serve both Iran's interests and the Houthis' long-running confrontation with Saudi Arabia.
The report comes amid rising regional tensions after Saudi-backed Yemeni authorities claimed responsibility for striking the runway of Sana'a International Airport earlier this week to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. The Houthis, however, blamed Saudi Arabia directly for the attack.
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