A senior Houthi military advisor threatened the United States that all its interests in the region would be targeted by the “ Ansar Allah movement ” if it “takes a risk” and supports Saudi Arabia, or intervenes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is controlled by the Houthis.
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“ If America risks supporting Saudi Arabia by striking us with air strikes or air support, we will consider any American interests around us as targets,” said Brigadier General Abed Mohammed al-Thawr, an advisor to the Houthi-affiliated Ministry of Defense, in an interview with AFP.
He added, "We will not exclude anything, whether in Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, or the Indian Ocean. We will strike with an iron fist."
Yemen has witnessed an escalation of fighting since July between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces. The Houthis accuse Riyadh of bombing areas under their control in Yemen and target Saudi territory with drones and missiles.
On September 11, the Houthis completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab Strait after government forces withdrew following a round of fierce fighting, and then tightened their grip on the western coast of Yemen.
Al-Thawr said, “If America dares to enter militarily with its fleets or tries to control Bab al-Mandab, Bab al-Mandab is a red line for America and others.”
He added, “We will not allow what happened in Hormuz. We will fight for it. Bab al-Mandab is not like Hormuz. Bab al-Mandab is two open seas, and our opportunity is better and our ability is better. No neighboring country or coastal country in the Red Sea, whether Djibouti, Eritrea, or any other country, will risk supporting the Saudi or American enemy. They will be a target for us.”
He continued, “Navigation will be completely closed to America if we are forced to do so.” And if the international community supports the United States, “we will close it to the world.”
“Us and Iran”
The Houthis say navigation through Bab al-Mandab is safe except for Saudi ships.
Since Iran largely closed the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war with the United States at the end of February, Saudi Arabia has intensified its use of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for its oil exports. The Houthis' current control of the strait undoubtedly complicates matters for Riyadh.
He pointed out that the Houthis are dealing with Saudi Arabia “in kind… it is the one that is attacking our countryWe will strike its economic capabilities, we will strike Aramco, we will strike Saudi oil, we will strike economic targets, we will strike vital targets… we will leave nothing out.”
Regarding the Houthis' relations with Iran, Al-Thawr said, "There is coordination and joint cooperation between us and Iran and Lebanon. We are an axis of resistance... and there is one management of the battle."
He added, “Each gives the other information that they can benefit from, but Iran does not give us instructions,” adding at the same time, “Within the framework of military cooperation, we have supported Iran… and we will not allow our airspace, our waters, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, or the Arabian Sea to be used to strike Iran, and whoever tries to do this, we will strike him.”
He continued, “We are one alliance and one body, and what befalls Iran will befall us, and what befalls us will befall Iran.”
Experts believe that the sudden escalation in the Yemen war , after years of relative calm, stems from the broader conflict between Iran and the United States, which has spilled over into several countries in the region. Tehran responded to the US-Israeli attack by launching missile strikes against Gulf states and Jordan, claiming to be targeting American interests there.
The war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis launched a major offensive against Yemeni government forces and seized control of large parts of the country, including the capital. In 2015, Saudi Arabia intervened in the conflict, leading a coalition in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Regarding military operations, the Houthi military advisor stated that his movement had committed to "not advancing our forces towards the southern region or towards Aden at all." The internationally recognized Yemeni authorities have established their temporary headquarters in Aden.
He added, "Our concern now is to tighten control over the entire west coast."
He continued, “In Marib, our forces are engaged in a fierce battle,” but he confirmed that the entire Marib province, located east of Aden, is now under the control of the Houthis, with the exception of Marib city.
He said, “Either they spare the city the horrors and destruction of war or the city is surrendered
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