Houthis want to copy Iran’s Hormuz control in the Red Sea: Yemeni FM

Yemen's internationally recognised government has raised alarm over Houthi ambitions to dominate maritime traffic through the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Speaking at the Yemeni embassy in Riyadh, foreign minister-designate Afrah al-Zouba characterised the movement's strategy as an attempt to replicate Iran's control model in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially disrupting two critical global shipping corridors.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with roughly 30 percent of global container shipments and 12–15 percent of worldwide trade flowing through it annually. Yemen's western geography positions whoever controls that territory to exert commanding influence over this passage. Al-Zouba attributed the Houthis' growing assertiveness to insufficient international response to their regional activities.

Tensions have escalated sharply since July, when the Houthis declared a maritime siege on Red Sea shipping bound for Saudi Arabia and launched missiles and drones at the kingdom. Saudi Arabia responded with air strikes on the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah. This marks the most significant escalation since a 2022 truce. Recent clashes around Hodeidah resulted in nearly 20 fighter deaths from both sides.

Al-Zouba stated that Yemen's government, backed by Saudi Arabia, is prepared for further escalation, with exchanges of fire occurring along frontline positions. However, he indicated no major offensive had been initiated. Shipping data reflects the deteriorating situation, with only 11 commodity vessels transiting the Red Sea on a recent Sunday, signalling a sharp decline in maritime activity.