Yemen envoy warns Houthi offensive threatens Bab al-Mandeb shipping

September 10, 2026 at 01:05 AM2 min

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Yemen's ambassador to Qatar, Rajeh Badi, warned that a Houthi offensive along the Red Sea coast aims to seize strategic ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He said the advance could allow Iran to tighten its grip on maritime routes and disrupt global shipping. The Saudi-led coalition reported Houthi missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jizan on Wednesday.

Key Facts

Houthi forces have advanced on al-Makha and al-Waziyah and seized large stretches of the mountain chain overlooking the Red Sea in Taiz province.
Yemen's Ambassador to Qatar, Rajeh Badi, said the Houthi offensive aims to secure commanding positions for strikes on ships and disruption of Red Sea navigation.
The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Major-General Turki al-Maliki, said the Houthis attacked Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jizan with ballistic missiles and drones on Wednesday.
Badi said the Yemeni government responded by opening fronts in al-Jawf, Marib, and al-Bayda.

Houthi Coastal Offensive

The Houthis are advancing along the Red Sea coast through the mountain chains of Taiz province, edging closer to strategic ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Yemen's Ambassador to Qatar, Rajeh Badi, described the operation as a surprise offensive to seize strategic ground along the Red Sea. He said the Houthis have advanced on al-Makha and al-Waziyah and over large stretches of the mountain chain overlooking the Red Sea in Taiz province. Badi argued that the Houthis want commanding positions to launch more effective strikes on ships and disrupt navigation in the Red Sea.

Regional Escalation

The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Major-General Turki al-Maliki, said the Houthis attacked the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jizan with ballistic missiles and drones on Wednesday. He did not elaborate on any casualties resulting from the attacks. Badi said the Yemeni government responded by opening fronts in al-Jawf, Marib, and al-Bayda. He warned that the consequences could extend far beyond Yemen and threaten the entire region and the world.

Strategic Waterway

Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, with the Suez Canal to the north and the Strait of Hormuz farther east. Badi said the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb represent a vital artery for global shipping, for both energy and food supplies. He warned that if the Houthis manage to choke maritime traffic in the Red Sea, the world would face another Hormuz in these waters, with potentially even greater impact.