Ansar Allah Blocks Bab al-Mandab Strait, Escalating Conflict with Saudi Arabia

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2015, dividing the country into two regions. Northern Yemen is under the control of the Ansar Allah movement, which is Iran's closest ally in the region. The southern region was controlled by Saudi and Emirati proxy forces until 2025, but they still haven't established security stability.

The ceasefire between Ansar Allah and Saudi Arabia has been observed since 2022, but domestic tensions remain high. Border skirmishes have occurred regularly, and disagreements over key issues persist.

The multi-year conflict has led to economic collapse and a humanitarian catastrophe. According to the UN, 22.3 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance, and 14.4 million people lack access to basic services. Ansar Allah controls the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is crucial for global oil trade.

On July 20, Ansar Allah announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, followed by multiple attacks on oil infrastructure. The escalation of tensions is part of Iran's regional war and aims to weaken or eliminate the US presence in the region.