Houthi Official Threatens to Close Bab al-Mandab Strait

A senior Houthi official based in Yemen has issued a threat to shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the event that the president of the United States persists in obstructing efforts aimed at achieving peace.

The official, identified as Hussein al-Azzi, conveyed this message through a post on the social media platform X. In his post, al-Azzi specifically noted that should Sana'a make the determination to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, then neither humans nor jinn would possess the ability to reopen the passage.

This remark underscores the perceived finality of such a decision according to the Houthi official. Additionally, al-Azzi directed an appeal to the US president, referred to as Trump, along with all other parties participating in the related processes.

He requested that they bring to an immediate conclusion any and all actions as well as policies that serve to obstruct or hinder the advancement of peace. Furthermore, the senior official drew attention to the significant role played by the Bab al-Mandab Strait in matters of international trade.

According to the statement, the strait functions as an essential maritime pathway that links the Red Sea directly to the Gulf of Aden. This route holds particular importance for the global shipping industry, with a special emphasis on the movement and transportation of crude oil across borders.