Saudi Arabia and Yemen Warn of Iran-Backed Houthi Threat to Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Shipping

MANAMA, Oct 31: Saudi Arabia and Yemen's internationally recognized government have warned of growing threats to regional security and international shipping from Yemen's Houthi movement, calling for greater regional and international cooperation to protect vital waterways including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.

Speaking at the 22nd IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Saturday, Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji condemned renewed Houthi attacks against the Kingdom and threats to commercial shipping.

“We condemn the continued escalation by the Houthi terrorist militia against Yemen and its people, and against our kingdom, particularly the targeting of civilian objects and the threats to maritime navigation,” Elkhereiji said.

He accused the Houthis of attempting to undermine de-escalation efforts, widen the conflict and obstruct efforts to reach a political settlement in Yemen.

Elkhereiji warned that attacks on commercial vessels and disruptions to maritime trade could have consequences far beyond the region, affecting global energy supplies, food security and international trade.

“Targeting commercial vessels, disrupting trade, directly impact energy and food security, as well as the interests of the peoples of the region and the world,” he said.

He stressed that protecting navigation in the Red Sea and the strategic waterways of Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz was a shared responsibility requiring regional and international cooperation and respect for international law.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba also warned that foreign support for the Houthis and their alleged connections with armed groups in the region posed a growing threat to international shipping and regional stability.

Citing findings by the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, she said the Houthis had received support from Iran, Iraqi armed groups and Hezbollah.

“The UN panel of experts on Yemen has shown that all the support being given to the Houthis from Iran, from Iraqi armed groups and Hezbollah has been proven,” she said.

Al-Zouba said the impact of Yemen's conflict had spread beyond its borders, affecting maritime navigation and security across the wider region.

She called for increased international cooperation to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

“Protecting these waterways requires putting an end to the sources of the threat by stopping the flow of weapons and financing to these groups,” she said.

The Yemeni foreign minister also called for stronger intelligence sharing and greater efforts to disrupt the financing networks of armed groups operating across borders.

She referred to information received in 2025 concerning alleged cooperation between the Houthis and Somalia's al-Shabab militant group involving weapons and training.

The warnings come as concerns grow over the security of key international shipping routes linking the Gulf with global markets, with both Saudi Arabia and Yemen urging coordinated action to protect maritime navigation and prevent further regional escalation.