Yemen envoy warns Houthi moves could broaden conflict at Bab al-Mandeb

Yemen’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ahmed Al-Mansoori, told Al Jazeera that recent Houthi statements about targeting the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait could trigger a wider regional war and jeopardise the flow of international trade (Al Jazeera). The diplomat emphasized that any attempt to block the waterway would not only affect vessels carrying oil and humanitarian aid but also invite a swift response from coalition forces backing the Yemeni government.

The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of northern Yemen, has repeatedly threatened to strike ships passing through the narrow Bab al‑Mandeb, a chokepoint that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. In recent weeks, the group announced plans to launch missile attacks on commercial vessels unless their political demands are met. Al‑Mansoori warned that such actions could “spill over” into a broader confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, all of which maintain a naval presence in the region.

Bab al‑Mandeb is one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, handling an estimated 20 % of global oil shipments and countless container vessels. Its strategic importance dates back to World War II, and it has been a flashpoint in the Yemeni civil war since 2015. The strait has already seen several incidents, including the 2022 missile strike on the Greek‑owned tanker Katherine L. and the 2024 drone attack on a Saudi‑flagged cargo ship. These events have prompted the International Maritime Organization to issue advisories urging ships to reroute or travel under naval escort.

The broader geopolitical stakes are high. The Saudi‑led coalition, which intervenes on behalf of the internationally recognised Yemeni government, has deployed warships and aircraft to protect the passage. The United States, citing the safety of commercial navigation and regional stability, conducts regular patrols and has threatened to target Houthi launch sites if attacks continue. Past attempts to negotiate a cease‑fire over the strait have repeatedly collapsed, leaving the waterway vulnerable to escalation.

If the Houthis were to succeed in disrupting traffic, the immediate impact would be a surge in shipping insurance premiums and a spike in oil prices, echoing the market reactions seen after the 2021 Suez Canal blockage. Longer‑term consequences could include a humanitarian crisis, as Yemen already relies on maritime routes for food and medical supplies. The ambassador’s warning underscores the fragile balance that keeps the Bab al‑Mandeb open and highlights why any shift in the conflict’s geography draws global attention.