Bab al-Mandeb: US war on Iran gives Houthis new leverage over Saudi Arabia

Bab al-Mandeb: US war on Iran gives Houthis new leverage over Saudi Arabia

When Yemen’s Houthis threatened a “maritime embargo” on Saudi ports last week, the risk of war returning to the Arabian Peninsula - and of Bab al-Mandeb becoming the second major oil chokepoint under threat - suddenly became real.

The escalation began after Saudi Arabia attacked Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport more than two weeks ago, potentially pulling the country deeper into the expanding US-Israeli war on Iran.

The attack followed the Houthis’ decision to reopen Sanaa airport to direct flights from Iran.

Read more: Bab al-Mandeb: US war on Iran gives Houthis new leverage over Saudi Arabia

University students march with Palestinian and Yemeni flags over depictions of the Israeli, US and UK flags during a pro-Houthi demonstration at Sanaa University in Yemen's capital, 22 July 2026 (Mohammed Huwais/AFP) ...