Mohammed Al-Jaber, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, announced on Friday, October 9 (17 Mehr), that the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait has been "freed from the control of the Houthi group." These statements come as Yemen's civil war has been intensifying since 2014.
Recent Developments in Yemen
Al-Jaber wrote in a message on the social media platform X: "A blessed Friday and victory for every Yemeni and Arab. Bab-el-Mandeb has been freed from the remnants of the terrorist Houthi militias." However, he did not provide further details about this liberation. The Houthis, who initially did not respond to these statements, have controlled large parts of Yemen for years.
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Background of the Conflicts
Yemen has been embroiled in war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces. In March 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered the war to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Recent clashes, which have intensified since July, are considered the largest battles in Yemen since relative calm was established after the ceasefire in 2022.
In September, the Houthis captured several strategic areas in the provinces of Hodeidah and Taiz and advanced to the Meyun Island in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. In response, Yemeni government forces launched "Yemen's Dawn" operations to reclaim areas under Houthi control.
The escalation of conflicts and the announcement of the liberation of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait by the Saudi ambassador raises concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen. While the country faces shortages of resources and basic needs, the political and security future of Yemen remains shrouded in uncertainty.
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