Houthis Prepare to Enter War Arena to Aid Iran, Poised to Close Bab al-Mandab Strait

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SANAA – Houthi militants in Yemen were reported by RIA Novosti on Friday (20/3/2026) as weighing the possibility of closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea and blocking ships from countries allied with the US and Israel. A member of the Houthi politburo, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, stated that the closure would be limited to ships related to aggression against Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, or Iraq.

The Houthis are currently considering several steps to assist Iran amid the raging war in the Middle East. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is known as a strategic passage, particularly for oil and gas trade, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Since the Iran-US-Israel war broke out at the end of last month, the Houthis have so far limited themselves to issuing threats and making preparations. Meanwhile, other groups from the ‘axis of resistance’, such as Hezbollah and militants in Iraq, have launched attacks on Israeli and US assets in solidarity with Iran.

In a separate statement, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi was quoted by Anadolu as saying that the Houthis are ready to act and are coordinating with Iran. He also mentioned the possibility of blocking Bab al-Mandab as a key option for supporting Tehran and pressuring the West.

If the Houthis block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, tanker ships from Asia to Europe would be forced to take a longer route, first circumnavigating part of the African continent. As a result, oil shipping costs would increase, leading to rises in fuel prices and ultimately inflation worldwide.

During Israel’s genocide in Gaza since October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships affiliated with Zionists and the US in the Red Sea with missiles and drones. In response, the Houthis have faced airstrikes from the US and Israel targeting their missile depots in Yemeni ports.