Yemen’s Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, disrupting critical shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, vital for global energy and trade, face growing tensions as hostilities in the Middle East escalate. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan warned at the United Nations General Assembly that these waterways must remain open, urging against turning them into battlegrounds.
Saudi Arabia has taken defensive measures, including blocking a Houthi missile salvo near the Yanbu oil terminal. France has deployed air defenses to protect the site, highlighting the strategic importance of the region. The attacks have also prompted military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to invoke the Mecca pact, calling for urgent talks to address the Houthi threat.
The United Nations’ Secretary-General, António Guterres, has stated that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, according to Iranian media reports. However, the ongoing conflict continues to impact international trade and security. Yemen’s government leader has urged citizens to join the army in a general mobilization against the Houthi rebels.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further disruption to global energy supplies and maritime trade.
