Yemen's Government Warns Houthi Control of Key Strait Threatens Global Economy

Yemen's internationally recognized government has urged world leaders to intervene against Houthi rebels, stating that their recent advances along one of the world's busiest waterways pose a significant risk to the global economy. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital and much of the north for over a decade, have recently seized the port city of Mokha and strategic Red Sea islands. This move grants them enhanced surveillance capabilities over ships traversing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint through which approximately 12% of global trade normally flows.

Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer, vice president of Yemen's recognized government council, addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly, warning that the Houthis' use of maritime navigation safety as a "tool for blackmail" jeopardizes not only Yemen but the entire global economy. He emphasized that securing the strait is a shared responsibility for all economies reliant on stable supply chains, energy security, and freedom of navigation. Al Alimi-Bawzer called for international action to prevent weapons and technology from reaching the rebel group.

The UN Security Council has maintained an arms embargo on the Houthis, along with asset freezes and travel bans on their leaders, for years. Despite Iran's denials of supplying weapons, numerous shipments of Iranian arms and parts destined for Yemen have been intercepted. A 2024 report by UN experts detailed extensive military ties between the Houthis, Iran, and its allies. Al Alimi-Bawzer asserted that the Houthis' sustained military position for twelve years would not be possible without Iranian weaponry, expertise, and military technology.

In recent actions, the Houthis claimed to have launched numerous ballistic missiles and drones targeting Saudi Arabia's southwestern Jazan province. A Saudi military spokesperson reported that the kingdom intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at its Red Sea port of Yanbu and the city of Taif, attributing the attacks to the Houthis. These incidents follow earlier alerts by Saudi civil defense authorities.

The intensified conflict in Yemen risks a resurgence of the civil war, which previously resulted in over 150,000 deaths and displaced millions. The current fighting has already led to the displacement of nearly 130,000 people, hundreds of fatalities, and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, one of the Arab world's poorest nations.

The strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has grown, particularly following Iran's asserted control over the even busier Strait of Hormuz. The recent Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, which began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, continued until a U.S. bombing campaign in 2025.

Al Alimi-Bawzer expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and commended the U.S. for its "decisive approach." Saudi Arabia has recently sought renewed military support from allies, though the U.S. has not recommitted to direct military involvement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. will uphold its defense commitments to Saudi Arabia, without specifying the nature of this support.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated at the UN that his country is collaborating with U.S. partners to address the conflict. He also indicated that Saudi Arabia is not concerned about a Houthi takeover in southern Yemen, expressing confidence in the Yemeni government's ability to defend its controlled territories.