Houthis Seize Yemen Ports as Global Oil Supplies Hang in Balance
The conflict in Yemen has erupted once again, with the Houthi rebel group seizing control of the Red Sea port city of Mocha and several islands from Yemeni government forces. This gives the Houthis a strategic foothold near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key trade gateway linking Asia and Europe.
The advance has alarmed Saudi Arabia for three reasons: it's a military setback for the Saudis and their supported pro-government forces; it would allow the Houthis to further restrict Saudi energy exports through control of Yemen's western coast; and the Houthis are closely allied with Iran, which could give Tehran control over two crucial maritime chokepoints for global oil supplies.
The renewed hostilities mark the end of a ceasefire that had been in place since 2022. The conflict began in 2015 when Saudi Arabia launched an all-out war to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who succeeded Ali Abdullah Saleh's forced resignation in 2012.