Are Houthis Applying the Hormuz Model in Bab el-Mandeb
The events indicate that the Yemeni Houthi movement continues to carry out its threats of imposing a naval blockade on Saudi ports. They are working to hinder navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by targeting ships and imposing undisclosed levies on commercial vessels, aiming to use the waterway as a tool of political and economic pressure. This reflects the Houthis' emulation of Iran's Strait of Hormuz model, as they seek to transform the passage from an international trade route into a arena for political bargaining. Despite their limited capacity to fully close the strait due to international presence, these actions are part of coordinated efforts with Iran. They raise concerns about the Red Sea turning into a battleground for political conflict and coercion, with the potential for significant military and security escalation. Such developments underscore the urgent need to restore the sovereignty of the legitimate Yemeni state to ensure the security of international navigation.
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