Who are the Houthis? How one of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' allies could widen the war
The Houthi movement in Yemen has declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabian exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Analysts warn this move could escalate regional conflict and disrupt global energy markets.
Why it matters
The blockade threatens a critical global shipping lane, potentially increasing energy prices and drawing more international actors into the Middle East conflict.
Houthi-affiliated military police pictured at a pro-Iran demonstration in Yemen in April. ( Reuters: Khaled Abdullah )
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The Houthi rebels, a militant extremist movement based in Yemen, have threatened to widen the escalating conflict in the Middle East by declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The Iran-backed group earlier this week promised to target ships carrying Saudi Arabian exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait , a vital shipping route between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
When announcing the blockade the Houthi military spokesperson didn't reference the US–Iran war, and said in a statement the group was targeting its "criminal Saudi enemy".
But it comes after the Iranians had reportedly called on their Yemen-based ally to prepare to choke shipping through the route , and experts warned the blockade could escalate.
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