Sanaa – September 21, 2026
A senior Houthi official in Yemen has warned other countries against joining Saudi Arabia in the renewed conflict in Yemen. Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, said the group has the capacity to fight on multiple fronts, warning that the involvement of other countries alongside Saudi Arabia could further widen the conflict. In an interview with the Associated Press, al-Bukhaiti said the Houthis currently have no intention of targeting the United States or vessels belonging to other countries in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, adding that Saudi Arabia remains the primary target of the group’s military operations. The Houthi official also confirmed that indirect contacts have taken place between the group and US officials through Oman, which has previously played a mediating role in talks between the two sides.
Renewed Escalation of Fighting
Tensions in Yemen have risen following a new wave of military attacks. The Houthis blame Saudi Arabia for the latest escalation, with al-Bukhaiti saying that an airstrike on Sanaa International Airport was one of the main factors behind the renewed tensions. In response, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, including an attack targeting Riyadh that was intercepted. Saudi officials also said debris from a Houthi drone killed one civilian and injured several others. The Houthis have also announced restrictions on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while targeting Saudi-linked vessels and oil facilities inside the kingdom.
Strategic Importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Recent developments along Yemen’s western coast have significant strategic importance. The Houthis have seized the port city of Mokha and several key islands in the Red Sea, giving them greater ability to monitor shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s key trade routes, with around 12% of global trade normally passing through the strait, according to the Associated Press. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have withdrawn from some areas but have said they intend to regroup.
The latest escalation has also brought an end to the ceasefire that had largely halted fighting since 2022. Yemen’s civil war has killed at least 150,000 people and pushed the country into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Meanwhile, Mahdi al-Mashat, president of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, said the group has not yet “closed the door to peace.”
Source: Associated Press (AP), September 21, 2026
