Houthis deploy near Bab el-Mandeb as US strikes Iran
Yemeni group awaits orders to act, while US forces hit targets near Qeshm Island and Tehran.
Houthis deploy near Bab el-Mandeb as US strikes Iran — The Houthis have deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb strait and are awaiting orders to act, according to reports. A source close to the group told Davar: "Any person with a rifle can disrupt shipping traffic."[^1] The deployment follows an attempted landing of an Iranian plane in Yemen earlier this week, after which Houthi security forces launched a widespread arrest campaign in Sanaa and Al-Hudaydah, imposing a full siege on entire neighborhoods.[^2] The US Armed Forces carried out a series of strikes on targets near the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Persian Gulf, and on the night of July 16, US forces attacked targets near Tehran for the first time.[^3] US Central Command announced a new wave of attacks on Iranian infrastructure and energy targets.[^4] A senior Israeli source warned: "If they make this mistake, they will pay a heavy price," and Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that in case of an attack, the response would be "completely different, much more powerful."[^5] Leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar reportedly contacted Trump to convince him to reverse the decision on Hormuz tolls, after he announced a 20% fee on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, then reversed course one day later.[^6] Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that any Israeli found in the country will be immediately deported.[^7] Senator John Fetterman threatened today that he would leave the Democratic Party if it adopts an anti-Israel policy. US-Israel ties fray as Congress signals shift and Arab leaders urge Trump to drop Netanyahu — JCFA President Dan Diker told the Post on Wednesday that the House vote on an amendment to cut Israel aid—defeated 314-104, but with 103 Democrats in favor—signals a shift in both parties.[^1] The Jerusalem Post editorial, citing the vote and Vice President JD Vance's interview on Joe Rogan's podcast Wednesday night, warns that the US-Israel relationship has entered a deep and dangerous crisis. Meanwhile, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported Wednesday that several Arab leaders have privately urged President Tr