Houthis Seek To Copy Iran’s Hormuz Strategy By Disrupting Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Our take
The recent declaration by the Houthis of a maritime blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, coupled with missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom, represents a significant escalation of regional tensions and a deliberate attempt to emulate Iran’s long-established strategy in the Strait of Hormuz. This mirrors a pattern of asymmetric warfare where a non-state actor seeks to disrupt vital maritime trade routes, leveraging geographic advantage and increasingly sophisticated weaponry. The Houthis’ actions are particularly concerning given the Bab el-Mandeb Strait's crucial role as a chokepoint for global oil and goods transportation; disruption here has immediate and cascading effects on global supply chains. The interconnectedness of maritime trade is clearly demonstrated by the recent delivery of the [Maersk Takes Delivery Of First-Ever 93,000-Cbm Very Large Ammonia Carrier], highlighting the increasing volume and complexity of goods traversing these vital waterways and therefore the potential impact of such disruptions. Furthermore, the successful demonstration of [Britain’s First Certified Crewless Ship Just Launched And Recovered Its Own Drone In The Open Ocean] underscores the rapid advancement of maritime technology, and the potential for both increased operational efficiency and, as demonstrated by the Houthi actions, new vulnerabilities.
The Houthis’ stated rationale—retaliation for Saudi drone incursions—frames this as a response to ongoing conflict, but the scale and deliberate nature of the blockade point to a more strategic objective: to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia and potentially force concessions related to the conflict in Yemen. Importantly, the Houthis are widely considered to be proxies of Iran, and this action strongly suggests an attempt to project Iranian influence and destabilize the region. The ripple effects extend beyond Saudi Arabia and Yemen; the Red Sea is a critical artery for trade between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Disruptions to shipping lanes inevitably lead to increased shipping costs, delays, and potential shortages, impacting economies worldwide. The Houthis’ claim of attacking Saudi East West oil transport infrastructure further amplifies the potential for widespread economic consequences, demonstrating a clear targeting of key energy infrastructure. The situation demands a nuanced understanding of the interplay between local conflict, regional power dynamics, and global economic interests.
The implications for maritime security are profound. While naval presence in the Red Sea is already significant, the Houthis’ use of increasingly sophisticated drone and missile technology presents a persistent and evolving threat. Traditional maritime security measures, reliant on surface patrols and conventional defenses, may prove insufficient to counter this asymmetric challenge. The need for enhanced surveillance capabilities, including advanced sensor technology and real-time data integration, is becoming increasingly apparent. Analyzing longitudinal data regarding maritime traffic patterns and potential threat zones, alongside calibrated risk assessments, will be crucial for formulating effective counter-strategies. The rise of autonomous systems like the crewless ship being developed in the UK, as highlighted in [Britain’s First Certified Crewless Ship Just Launched And Recovered Its Own Drone In The Open Ocean], while offering opportunities for enhanced maritime operations, also introduces new avenues for exploitation by actors like the Houthis, creating a complex and rapidly evolving security landscape.
Looking ahead, the Houthis’ actions represent a potential blueprint for other non-state actors seeking to disrupt global trade. The integrated data ecosystem required to effectively monitor and respond to these threats must be further developed and shared internationally, fostering ocean intelligence that transcends national boundaries. The question remains: how can the international community effectively deter further escalation while simultaneously addressing the underlying political and economic factors that fuel the conflict in Yemen and enable the Houthis’ disruptive capabilities? The long-term stability of the Red Sea and the broader maritime domain hinges on a collaborative, data-driven approach to security and a commitment to addressing the root causes of instability.
Yemen’s Houthi movement is trying to replicate Iran’s strategy in the Strait of Hormuz by disrupting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
“The Houthis want to copy the Iranian model and this will shut down two main straits, the gateways into the Gulf and Red Sea,” Foreign Minister-designate Afrah Al-Zouba told a small group of journalists at the Yemeni embassy in Riyadh.
Al-Zouba said the Houthis had been encouraged by what she described as an insufficient international response to their actions.
Her comments come as tensions between the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognised government continue to rise, increasing concerns over security in the Red Sea, a key route for global trade.
The Houthis have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and launched missiles and drones at the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities and said it would protect commercial shipping, accusing the Houthis of serving foreign agendas.
The escalation has also raised fears of renewed conflict in Yemen, where war broke out after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia later led an Arab coalition military campaign against the group.
Although a truce was reached in 2022, recent cross-border attacks have increased tensions. Saudi officials, Western diplomats and Yemeni officials now believe a return to full-scale war is more likely than at any time since the ceasefire began.
Al-Zouba said Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, was prepared for further escalation.
She said exchanges of fire were taking place along front lines stretching from the Red Sea coast to the Saudi border, but neither side had launched a major offensive.
“We think that this conflict now needs to come to an end, either via peaceful means, or the other way,” she said.
Al-Zouba’s warning focused on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Like the Strait of Hormuz, it is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Around 30% of global container traffic and 12% to 15% of global trade passes through the Red Sea.
Yemen’s western coastline gives whoever controls it significant influence over shipping moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to data cited by Yemen’s internationally recognised government, shipping through the Red Sea is already slowing, with only 11 commodity vessels passing through the route on Sunday.
The recent tensions mark the biggest escalation since the 2022 truce.
Earlier this month, the Houthis announced a maritime siege targeting shipping to and from Saudi Arabia before launching missiles and drones at the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia later carried out airstrikes on the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah. Nearly 20 fighters from both sides were killed earlier this month during clashes around Hodeidah.
The conflict began after the Houthis captured Sanaa in 2014, forcing then-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to eventually flee to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia led an Arab coalition campaign against the Houthis from 2015 until the truce in 2022.
As of 2026, the Houthis remain in control of Sanaa and other parts of Yemen. At the same time, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which Riyadh accuses of supporting a southern separatist group in Yemen, have also affected developments on the ground.
The war has had a devastating impact on civilians. An estimated 377,000 people died between 2015 and the beginning of 2022, most of them due to indirect effects of the conflict such as famine and disease.
References: Reuters, Al Jazeera
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