The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Thursday their readiness to support Iran in opposition to the United States and Israel, hinting at the possibility of opening a new conflict in the Red Sea, which is vital for global trade.
This Iranian-aligned group signaled they were prepared for immediate combat, particularly in light of Iran’s warning that escalation could extend to the Bab al-Mandab Strait if the US were to carry out a ground invasion.
“We are fully prepared with all military options,” a Houthi leader told reporters, implying a collaborative effort with Iran.
He further remarked, “As of now, Iran is succeeding, pushing back the enemy daily, and the situation is progressing in that direction. If anything occurs that changes this, we can reassess,” he added.
The Houthis’ engagement in this conflict raises serious concerns for the safety of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial 32km-wide area in southwestern Yemen.
They have previously shown their military presence in the strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, as a gesture of solidarity amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Their assaults have already caused significant interruptions along this vital corridor between Europe and Asia, through which around $1 trillion in goods circulate annually.
Such an action in the strait could threaten shipments from Saudi Arabia, the leading oil exporter globally, which has been rerouting crude oil to the Red Sea after issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran recently warned that it could take control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait if the United States intensifies the conflict by invading Kharg Island.
“The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s strategic passageways, and Iran possesses both the determination and the capability to pose a credible threat to it,” stated an official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Amid these tensions, President Trump has not dismissed the possibility of a ground invasion of Iran, with both nations continuing to exchange threats while thousands of American troops are deployed to the region.
