A Houthi official warned on Wednesday that Yemen’s rebel group could close the Bab al-Mandab strait if Gulf states become directly involved in military operations supporting Israel or the United States, or if conflict escalates against Iran and Lebanon. The statement, reported by multiple sources, represents a significant escalation in rhetoric from the Iranian-backed group, which has already been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The Bab al-Mandab, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is a critical chokepoint for global shipping, particularly for oil and liquefied natural gas. Closing the strait would disrupt international trade and potentially trigger a wider regional conflict. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, approximately 12% of global oil trade and 8% of liquefied natural gas pass through the strait annually.
The Houthi official’s statement, as reported by the Times of Israel, specifically referenced a potential response to “savagely” escalating aggression against Iran and Lebanon. This suggests a linkage between events in Gaza, potential Israeli actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the broader regional security landscape. The official framed the closure of the Bab al-Mandab as a “Yemeni option,” implying a degree of autonomy in the decision-making process, though the group is widely understood to be heavily influenced by Iran.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the Iranian consulate strike in Damascus on April 1st, which Iran has vowed to retaliate for. The United States has reportedly warned Israel against a large-scale retaliatory strike, fearing further escalation. The potential for Gulf state involvement in a wider conflict stems from security agreements with the United States and concerns over regional stability. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while having recently normalized relations with Israel, have also expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential for a broader war.
The Houthis have previously threatened to target Israel directly, but have instead focused on disrupting shipping lanes as a means of exerting pressure. These attacks have prompted the United States and the United Kingdom to launch retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, but have not halted the group’s operations. The United Nations has repeatedly called for restraint and a de-escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, warning of the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe if shipping is significantly disrupted.
As of Wednesday evening, no official response to the Houthi official’s statement has been issued by governments in the Gulf region, the United States, or Israel. The silence from regional powers underscores the delicate diplomatic situation and the potential for rapid escalation. A scheduled meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday is expected to address the escalating tensions in the region, but no concrete resolutions are currently anticipated.
