Houthi Forces Warn That Escalating Situation May Lead to Closure of Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Xinhua News Agency, Kuwait City, April 19 (Reporter Yin Zhao) - Sana'a reports: The Houthi armed group warned on the 18th that if efforts aimed at achieving peace continue to be obstructed, the strategic Mandeb Strait may be closed.

Houthi senior official Hussein al-Ezi urged U.S. President Trump and his allies on social media on the 18th to "end all actions and policies that obstruct peace" and to respect the legitimate rights of the Yemeni people.

He also stated that if the decision to close the Mandeb Strait is made, "no force will be able to reopen it."

This warning from the Houthis follows Iran's decision on the 18th to once again block the Strait of Hormuz. The public relations department of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated on the 18th that due to the U.S. violating ceasefire commitments and not lifting the maritime blockade on Iranian ports and vessels, the Strait of Hormuz would be blocked starting that evening.

The Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and is a vital passage linking the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. This strait is under the control of the Houthi armed group. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, before the outbreak of the U.S.-Iraq war, about 12% of global oil transportation passed through the Mandeb Strait.

Since the end of March, the Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel to support their allies in the region's "Axis of Resistance."