Houthi Strikes on Yemen Ports Raise Fears of Renewed Civil War and Shipping Threats
Houthi rebels attack Yemeni government areas, threatening shipping lanes and a return to civil war, while Iran ties Hormuz reopening to US actions.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels launched fresh attacks on Tuesday against Yemeni government-controlled areas, including the key Red Sea port of Mokha and the central province of Marib. The strikes, carried out with missiles and drones, have intensified fears that the country's fragile truce could collapse and that vital shipping routes could face renewed threats.
The Yemeni military confirmed the attacks but gave no immediate casualty figures. The escalation follows a weekend assault on Mokha that killed at least seven people, including three soldiers, and a series of strikes last week on Marib and Hadramout province that left dozens of troops and civilians dead.
Mokha is a major port under Yemen's internationally recognized government, recently upgraded to handle cargo and reduce reliance on the Houthi-held port of Hodeida. The renewed attacks come amid a broader Houthi campaign targeting government forces and Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure, as well as shipping in the Red Sea.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed by Iran, attention has shifted to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen's southern coast, an alternative route for Saudi oil exports. Analysts warn that continued Houthi attacks could reignite Yemen's civil war after a four-year lull following the 2022 truce, potentially opening another front in the wider Middle East conflict.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran's position that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States ends its naval blockade and meets other conditions. In a call with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Araghchi stressed that securing the strait requires an end to what he called aggressive US actions. Wadephul, in response, insisted the strait must be opened unconditionally to ensure free navigation.
US President Donald Trump, in a social media post, said he was directing negotiators to demand compensation from Iran for all the people killed or wounded by Iranian-backed actions over the years. He also claimed the US has "100% control" of the strait, but acknowledged the situation is complex. Trump argued that the blockade is choking Iran's economy, saying, "They have no money. Iran is broke, totally broke."
The standoff over Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies once passed, continues to keep energy prices elevated and remains a key political issue ahead of US midterm elections.