Houthi Advance Raises Fresh Threat to Red Sea Shipping

World 09:52 AM - 2026-09-16

Displaced Yemenis in Obock, Djibouti.

Fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement has intensified sharply, with cross-border missile and drone attacks and the Houthi advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast raising fresh concerns over regional security and global shipping.

The escalation follows a rapid Houthi advance along Yemen’s western coast, including the capture of the strategic port city of Mokha and further movement towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints. The group has also expanded its presence on islands near the strait, increasing concerns over the security of commercial shipping.

The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against targets in southern Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh has carried out air strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The latest fighting marks a significant escalation after a period of reduced violence following the 2022 UN-mediated truce.

Saudi authorities have also issued a series of security alerts in several parts of the country amid the attacks. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city. Saudi officials described the security of Mecca as a “red line”, while the Houthis denied targeting the city or other religious sites.

The Houthi advance towards the Bab al-Mandab has heightened concerns over one of the world’s most important shipping routes, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and provides access to the Suez Canal.

The developments have also added pressure to global energy markets. Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended operations on its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack, while disruptions to Red Sea shipping have raised concerns over alternative routes for oil exports amid the continuing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

The combination of threats to the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz has contributed to a rise in oil prices, with Brent crude recently moving above $100 a barrel.

The renewed fighting is also worsening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said more than 100,000 people had been internally displaced by the latest conflict, with thousands more fleeing across the sea to Djibouti. Humanitarian operations have been complicated by insecurity, damaged infrastructure, disrupted communications and movement restrictions.

Sources: Reuters, AP, and Al-Jazeera

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