Ansarallah Forces Within Striking Distance of Key US Military Base

The Ansarallah forces in Yemen have made significant gains against Saudi-backed forces, bringing them within 80 miles of Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, which houses the US's only permanent military base on the African continent. The advance has raised concerns that the fallout could extend beyond Saudi Arabia and impact global oil trade.

Ansarallah initially stayed out of direct involvement in the US-Israeli war with Iran but their recent advances reflect a steady escalation between Saudi Arabia and Ansarallah since mid-July. On September 19, Ansarallah bombed a fuel depot at the main airport in Riyadh, sending a plume of black smoke over the Saudi capital.

The control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial chokepoint at the southern end of the Red Sea, gives Ansarallah significant leverage over global energy trade. Past attacks on Red Sea traffic have already curtailed shipping through the strait while raising insurance and security costs on remaining vessels.