Houthis seize Bab al-Mandeb as US opts for diplomatic sidelines

Over a few days, the Houthi movement seized thousands of square kilometres of Yemen’s southwestern coast, including strategic islands that dominate the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global shipping. US officials held talks with Houthi representatives at the embassy in Muscat, receiving assurances that attacks would be limited to Saudi-affiliated vessels. Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s repeated calls for US strikes, President Donald Trump refused to commit forces, instead dispatching Admiral Brad Cooper to Riyadh for coordination.

A private summit in the United States brought together senior military leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Israel, but no explicit military commitment was made. Analysts note that depleted US munitions, domestic opposition to the Iran war, and upcoming US elections constrain Washington’s willingness to open another front in Yemen.