Yemen’s Houthis Ready to Join the Iran War, Spreading Regional Risks

Recently, Yemen Houthi movement has signaled readiness to become more directly involved with the Iran War. In favor of Iran, the Houthis are a political and military Shiite that controls northern Yemen. Their original rise to power was devised from opposing Western influence. They show this opposition through targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, protesting Israeli military actions in Gaza, and creating a civil war to overtake Yemen’s current Saudi-backed government. With Yemen’s proximity to Bab al-Mandab, a maritime choke point between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, any additional military escalation could halt global shipping routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz. In addition to goods, 12% of the world’s oil transports occur within the Bab al-Mandab connection. Although this may not seem impactful, when added to the 20% being controlled by Iran within the Strait of Hormuz, this conflict could disrupt over 30% of the world’s oil intake. In this scenario, global supply chains could face strenuous circumstances, furthering transportation costs and energy prices. Pulling more countries into the conflict as their GDP and exports begin to face hardships. As for Yemen, increased military presence and conflict could worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and deepen the food shortages their citizens are already experiencing. These tragedies are in violation of the Geneva Conventions, a series of laws to protect citizens during wartime. Yet, no action is being taken as airstrikes and missile attacks have reportedly hit civilian infrastructure, schools, and markets. The UN has tried to broker a ceasefire but their efforts have been limited by a lack of cooperation and other competing interests of regional powers. Overall, Yemen’s issue is no longer a domestic conflict, but part of a larger regional dynamic. Its geographic position and political alliances mean that developments in Yemen now extend across borders affecting numerous lives and possible fatalities.