Houthis vow to strike U.S. interests if American forces back Saudi Arabia in Bab al-Mandeb
A senior Houthi official warned that the group would launch attacks on U.S. targets and could block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait if American troops support Saudi operations there.
In an interview, Mohammed al-Szaur, adviser to the Houthi defence ministry, warned that the group would respond to any U.S. assistance to Saudi Arabia with attacks on American assets and could shut down the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime route linking the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal. He emphasized that the Houthis make their own decisions and are not directly commanded by Iran, which they still call a friendly ally.
The statement follows a series of Houthi offensives, including the capture of Moha port and the strategic Perim island, giving them control over the strait. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces has intensified since July, with both sides targeting each other's oil facilities and air bases. Reports also note that Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman's recent appeal to President Donald Trump for military aid has heightened regional tensions.
Why it matters
The threat could disrupt a vital global shipping lane and raise the risk of direct U.S. involvement in the Yemen conflict.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Renewed Yemen fighting forces over 46,000 people from their homes
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 Since the earlier report of 86,000 displaced, the UN now says over 112,000 have been forced from their homes.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
- Sep 19 Saudi officials confirmed that Yemen's Houthi forces attempted a ballistic missile strike on Riyadh, which was intercepted, and also failed to hit targets in Yanbu, Taif, Baysh and Farasan.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 22 The United States declined to conduct direct kinetic strikes against the Houthis.
- Sep 22 UN agencies warned that displacement could rise to over 230,000 if the fighting continues.
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