The Iranian-backedHouthisare reportedly threatening to close a key trade connectingEuropeandAsia. Intelligence sources have reportedly said there are concerns the rebels inYemencould look to disrupt shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb, an important route for oil and liquefied natural gas into theMediterranean.
All ships travelling between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal must pass the narrow strait situated between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. The Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s most important waterways, and if it were to be shut off, vessels would likely have to reroute. Travelling around the Cape of Good Hope (Africa’s most south-western point) is probably the most plausible option, but the journey time would be significantly longer, likely causing prices to shoot up and shortages.
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The Houthis started attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in 2023 following the outbreak of theIsrael-Hamas war in October that year.
The rebels, which receive arm shipments from Iran, initially said they were targeting vessels connected with Israel, or heading to or from there — although ships not connected to Israel were attacked.
According toITV News, intelligence services in theMiddle Eastare concerned that an expansion of the Iran war will see the Houthis engage and obstruct shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb.
Sources reportedly didn’t specifically say what this could look like, but suggested the Houthis were alert to other countries acting against ally Iran.
Houthi leader Abdul Malil al-Houthi last week said the rebels were prepared "to move militarily if developments require it".
"Our hands are on the trigger whenever developments require it,” he warned.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
