Yemen’s Houthi forces have said they may block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

March 21, 2026, 9:00 AM
Xinhua News Agency
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According to RIA Novosti, Mohamed Buhati, a member of the political Bureau of the Houthi armed forces in Yemen, said on March 20 that the organization may take action to block the Strait of Mandeb to support Iran's resistance to military strikes by the United States and Israel. Buhati pointed out that the Houthis are evaluating all possible options and emphasized that if the blockade is implemented, it will only target ships from countries involved in attacks on Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, not all passing ships. The Strait of Mande is a strategic link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is known as the "throat" connecting the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Oceans. It is also a "water corridor" between the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. Its blockade may affect global shipping and energy. Supply has a major impact. This statement highlights the risk of proliferation of regional conflicts and the geopolitical influence of the Houthis in the Red Sea region
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