Amid Escalation: Houthis Reinforce Forces Near Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Houthi terrorist organization is increasing the deployment of checkpoints and military reinforcements near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, amid the escalation with the Yemeni government. Saudi media reported on Houthi fears of an uprising in southern Yemen.

The Houthi terrorist organization is increasing its force deployment near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, amid the ongoing escalation with the Yemeni government. Saudi media reported that the organization has set up dozens of checkpoints in the last two days, along with sending military reinforcements to the front lines. Local and military sources in Yemen assess that these steps reflect Houthi fears of government forces' advances and the possibility of a popular uprising in the district, which is considered an area of low support for the organization. The Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, hopes to exploit this low support to push the Houthis away from the strategic strait. Losing control of the strait, which leads to Europe, would be a severe blow to the Houthis, similar to the Iranian regime in Hormuz, and will likely lead to intensified attacks on the organization.