Houthis Gain Leverage over Saudi Arabia as Yemen Conflict Escalates

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels escalated recently after Saudi Arabia attacked Sanaa International Airport, which could potentially draw the country deeper into the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Houthis responded by reopening the airport to direct flights from Iran, which has led some analysts to believe that the threat of a maritime embargo on Saudi ports is now more real than ever.

This development has raised concerns about Bab al-Mandeb becoming the second major oil chokepoint under threat after the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces recently seized a tanker and took its crew hostage.