Yemen Rebels Target Key Shipping Route as Civil War Looms

Yemen is on the brink of civil war again as Iran-backed rebels target a crucial shipping route. The Arab world's poorest country has been plagued by conflict since 2015, with over 40 million people fearing a return to the devastating war that killed 150,000 and brought many others to the brink of famine.

The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel group, have entered the key Red Sea port of Mokha, which has been held by Yemen's internationally recognized government. This move endangers another crucial entry point for food and other assistance.

The Houthis are now closer to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, creating further complications for shipping on the Red Sea, not just for Saudi Arabia but also for global oil consumers.