The Houthis are advancing along the Red Sea, effectively opening a second front in the war with Iran , widening the conflict and further increasing pressure on global energy and financial markets, with oil holding above $100.
After capturing the strategic port city of Mocha, Yemeni rebels have seized control of Perim Island, at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important oil routes from the Gulf to the Mediterranean . This conquest represents a profound shift in the balance of power in Yemen, with potential consequences for the entire region.
With this offensive, the Houthis have in fact disrupted the status quo along the coast, jeopardized a truce that had largely held since 2022, and created the conditions for a further consolidation of their control over the north of the country. But their victory is also a victory for Iran, with whom they are allies, because the ayatollahs can now exert coercion not only on Hormuz but also on Bab el-Mandeb, threatening both of the region's most important energy "taps."
We're talking about one of the most strategic areas for international trade. Approximately 10% of the world's oil and 12-15% of global trade pass through the Strait.
From New Delhi, where the BRICS summit is underway, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian warned that US pressure on Tehran has "reached a critical and dangerous stage." This suggests the regime is ready to do anything to save itself.
Meanwhile, Riyadh is attempting to respond, with air strikes not only on the airport but also on the city of Mocha. But without much success. The anti-Houthi coalition led by Riyadh is failing to halt the rebels' advance, and Donald Trump is reluctant to become openly involved in another war front after the Iranian one, which is sinking him in the polls a month and a half before the midterm elections. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called the tycoon at least twice on Thursday to request American military assistance, but ultimately Washington informed Riyadh that it is not prepared to undertake direct military action for the time being and will provide assistance in sharing intelligence and identifying targets.
(Unioneonline)
