Houthis Threaten US Interests in Escalating Yemen Conflict

The Houthi military group in Yemen has threatened to attack American interests in the Middle East if the US intervenes militarily in support of Saudi Arabia, which is fighting a war with the Houthis.

A Houthi military adviser told AFP that they would 'fight over' any attempt by the US to take control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow shipping lane that serves as the gateway to the Red Sea. The Houthis have already seized control of this strategic waterway, shaking Saudi Arabia, which relies heavily on oil exports.

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2015, but it has intensified recently with renewed fighting between the Houthi-backed government and Saudi-backed forces. The US is being asked to intervene by both sides, but the Houthis have made it clear that they will not tolerate any American involvement.