Bab al-Mandab

Israeli-Saudi security coordination remains 'limited and pragmatic,' Saudi analyst cautions

Riyadh and Israel increasingly confront overlapping threats from Iran and the Houthis, but political constraints continue to limit direct military cooperation.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
Illustrative: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony as part of his two-day official visit to France, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France August 24, 2026.
An Iranian radar unit is seen near the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, on April 9, 2007, 180 miles south of Tehran, Iran; Illustrative.

Iran reportedly expands influence on Yemen’s Red Sea coast after Houthi takeover - report

The goal of the Houthis is to create a new reality along the Red Sea. They are digging trenches in the mountains to prevent the government forces from retaking the area.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Women use donkeys to transport water jerrycans to the al-Bireen camp for displaced people who fled fighting between the Houthis and forces of Yemen's internationally recognized government in Taiz province, Yemen, September 17, 2026.

Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN agency says

The UN described the new fighting as a crisis layered atop Yemen’s long-running humanitarian emergency.

|ByREUTERS
Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, shouts slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026.

Beijing pushes Tehran to help stop Houthi attacks following appeal from Saudis, Iranian sources say

China remains a factor Tehran cannot afford to ignore, but two Iranian sources said Beijing's interests were only one of many considerations.

|ByREUTERS

Oil tankers turn around, avoid Red Sea following warnings by Yemen's Houthis

The Iran-aligned Houthis on Monday declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war with Iran.

JULY 22, 2026ByREUTERS
The Red Sea

Iran’s Houthi gamble at Bab al-Mandab might strengthen Washington - opinion

By deploying the Houthis as a pressure lever, Iran opens a new and highly sensitive front.

MARCH 30, 2026ByHABTOM GHEBREZGHIABHER
MEMBERS OF Houthi military forces parade in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen. Threatening to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait could end up strengthening Washington, the writer says.

Iran warns its ready to open new front in Yemen, close Bab al-Mandab Strait with Houthis - report

"The Bab al-Mandab Strait is considered one of the strategic straits in the world, and Iran has the will to produce a completely credible threat against it," an Iranian official told Tasnim.

MARCH 25, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
A Houthi protester with a poster of Ali Khamenei demonstrates amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen, March 6, 2026

Israel’s quiet gambit on the Red Sea chessboard - opinion

Recognition of Somaliland offers a way to shape the broader strategic environment around the Red Sea.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByLIRON ROSE, AMIT SHABI
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar meets with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in first diplomatic visit to Somaliland on January 6, 2026.

Germany accuses China of targeting aircraft with laser over Red Sea

Berlin summons Chinese ambassador after incident involving military surveillance aircraft; Beijing denies accusations.

JULY 10, 2025BySIMON KEJZMAN
Beechcraft 350 reconnaissance aircraft.