The war in Yemen has resumed with the capture of the port of Mocha and several islands by the Houthi group. This advance gives the Houthis access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is a vital trade corridor between Asia and Europe.
Concerns for Saudi Arabia
The Houthis' advance has raised concerns for Saudi Arabia for three main reasons: first, this advance represents a military defeat for the Saudis and the forces supporting the Yemeni government. Second, Saudi Arabia has become heavily reliant on access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for its oil exports, especially after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran in February 2026. Control of Yemen's coasts allows the Houthis to potentially restrict Saudi energy exports.
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Third, the close relationship between the Houthis and Iran means that Tehran can now control two important maritime corridors for global oil transport. For example, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait accounted for about 7 percent of global oil exports in June 2023.
Consequences of Renewed Conflicts
The renewed fighting signifies the end of the ceasefire in Yemen that had been in place since 2022. The Houthis, originally formed as a movement to defend the interests of the Zaidi Shia population in Yemen, seized control of the capital, Sana'a, in 2014. Concerned about the takeover of its southern neighbor by Iran-affiliated forces, Saudi Arabia launched a full-scale war in March 2015.
This war continued for several years and ultimately reached a stalemate. Despite efforts to negotiate and reach a lasting agreement, the parties only agreed to a ceasefire in April 2022. However, this ceasefire expired in October 2022, and although fighting significantly decreased, tensions remained.
Following recent developments, reports have emerged of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia requesting U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis. This request, although rejected, indicates the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region. The recent advance of the Houthis along Yemen's western coast poses not only a threat to Saudi Arabia but also a serious challenge for the Houthis themselves, as they now control a larger territory and must test their ability to maintain this new position.
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