Key facts
- Houthi militants have seized strategic islands along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including Perim and the Hanish islands.
- The Bab al-Mandab strait, through which nearly 15% of global sea trade passes, is now under Houthi control.
- The ongoing conflict has displaced at least 100,000 people in Yemen in recent days.
- The Houthis have attacked Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline, which is now closed for repairs.
- Farea Al-Muslimi described the situation as "worse than 2015" with less willingness to help civilians.
The ongoing civil war in Yemen has escalated with Houthi militants capturing key territory along the Red Sea coast, raising concerns about global oil supplies and exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have seized strategic islands in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical chokepoint for international shipping. This development, coupled with existing disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, could significantly impact global energy trade.
Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, stated that the current situation is "worse than 2015" and that global attention is diverted from the plight of Yemeni civilians, with fewer resources available for aid. The intensified fighting has led to at least 100,000 people being displaced in recent days, adding to the millions already in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict, which began in 2014, has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths, primarily due to aerial bombardment by the Saudi-backed coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a critical east-west oil pipeline, which is now closed for repairs. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating violence and threats to maritime security, urging restraint to prevent a wider regional conflict. Reports suggest that the Houthis may be extracting informal payments from some shipping agencies for safe passage, despite claims they do not intend to impose transit fees.