Houthis Tighten Grip on Red Sea Amid Renewed Conflict with Saudi Arabia
By Editor • September 12, 2026 • 1 min read
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the Houthi movement has consolidated its control over key maritime routes in the Red Sea following recent clashes with Saudi-backed forces. This renewed conflict has significant implications for regional stability and global trade.
On July 13, an Iranian aircraft carrying a high-profile Houthi delegation attempted to land in Sana’a, Yemen. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government protested this flight, claiming it violated Yemen's sovereignty as the Houthis had not secured prior approval for the landing. Despite the government's offer to facilitate a return via a non-Iranian airline, the Houthis opted to fly home on a Mahan Air flight. In response, Saudi forces bombed Sana’a airport's runway, prompting the Houthis to retaliate with strikes on Saudi energy infrastructure. This marked a clear breach of a 2022 ceasefire agreement and ignited further military actions.
The Houthis swiftly took advantage of the situation, launching offensives in Hodeidah and Taiz, and imposing a naval blockade on Saudi vessels. Their territorial gains were significant, with control over the entire Yemeni Red Sea coastline and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial chokepoint for global maritime traffic. The Houthis’ ability to disrupt this vital route raises alarms over international oil shipments, as approximately 12-15% of global trade passes through the Red Sea.
The roots of the Houthi movement, which emerged from a Zaydi revivalist group in the early 1990s, have deep historical ties to Iran. Following the U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, the Houthis declared war on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians and launched attacks on Israel-linked vessels. The ongoing conflict has drawn Saudi Arabia into a precarious position, struggling to maintain its oil exports as Houthi forces target its infrastructure.
Source: www.thehindu.com
