Houthis threaten to close Bab al-Mandab Strait
Yemen's unrecognized Houthi administration warned that they are prepared to close the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, mouth of the Red Sea. This is a second maritime chokepoint for oil from the Arabian Peninsula after the Strait of Hormuz, now effectively closed due to Washington's conflict with Iran. In a post on X April 18, Houthi deputy foreign minister Hussein al-Ezzi said: "If Sana'a decides to close the Bab al-Mandab, then all of mankind and jinn will be utterly powerless to open it... [T]herefore, it is best for Trump—and the complicit world—to immediately end all practices and policies that obstruct peace, and to show the respect required for the rights of our people and nation." (Times of India)
In a speech three days later, Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi warned, "Sanaa will not remain neutral," framing the current maritime tensions as part of a wider conflict targeting the "Islamic nation." He said that any further military escalation would be met with an "equivalent response," calling for increased coordination among members of the "axis of resistance" (meaning Iran, the Houthis and Hezbollah). (i24News)
Oil prices have been responding erratically to the changing situation in the Persian Gulf. After sinking 10% last week, oil prices have rebounded this week as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained severely restricted. On April 20, the US Navy fired on and seized an Iranian vessel it accused of attempting to break its blockade. (OilPrice.com)
Saudi war on Houthis heats up again
Tensions are running high between Yemen's Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh bombing the Sana'a airport and the Houthis retaliating with drone strikes this week. No casualties were reported, but Iran has reportedly asked the Houthis to be ready to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key Red Sea oil route, if the US hits the Iranian power grid. (TNH)
Hunger rises in Yemen as it is drawn into US-Iran fray
As Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the north of the country, jump into the US-Iran fray with attacks on Saudi oil tankers and a promise to hit any tanker that uses Saudi ports, there’s much more than a rise in global oil prices at risk. Yemen has been at war for more than 11 years, with the Houthis fighting a pro-government coalition that is nominally led by Saudi Arabia, although it has pulled back in recent years. For the most part, the devastating war's frontlines have been quiet for years, although there is no official peace and hunger is once again rising to dangerous levels because of ongoing displacement, economic collapse, and low aid funding. Now Yemenis have to worry about an escalation of conflict, not just in the neighboring seas, but also in the country. Iran—which backs the Houthis—reportedly already transported military equipment and advisors to bolster their ability to blockade the Red Sea. If Saudi Arabia and its allies respond with military force, a conflict that is mostly cold but is still destroying lives through hunger and a lack of clean water and healthcare will only get worse. (TNH)