Yemen’s Houthis Threaten to Close Bab al-Mandeb Strait Amid Rising Tensions
Hameed Abdulqader Antar, an advisor to the prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi-led government, has warned that the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait will be closed if there is any new aggression against the country. He also stated that nations supporting Israel will face a fiery response.
Speaking to regional media on Sunday, Antar said that Yemen’s response would not be limited to its own territory. He warned that U.S. interests in the Red Sea and the oil facilities of Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant Aramco, would also be targeted. According to Antar, the retaliatory measures would be designed to disrupt the flow of oil exports to Western nations.
The Houthi government advisor described the confrontation as an existential battle between righteousness and injustice, stressing that the Yemeni people will not settle for anything less than victory.
He also reported heightened political and military preparedness within Yemen to face any potential attacks. These statements come amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea region and around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in recent months. The strait is considered a critical route for global trade and oil exports.
