The Houthis seized up to 130km of Yemen's Red Sea coast and Perim in a September offensive, gaining significant control of the Bab al-Mandab shipping strait. Oil prices have risen amid fears of further disruption to global supplies.
The advance followed the unraveling of a four-year informal ceasefire. The Houthis declared a “maritime embargo” on Saudi Arabia and launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers, saying they were retaliating for what they call a years-long Saudi blockade and an air strike on Sanaa airport. They say they pose no threat to international shipping except Saudi-linked vessels; Saudi Arabia has launched air strikes.
The Houthis are an armed political and religious movement from northern Yemen that champions the Zaidi Shia minority. Their stated goals include ending the Saudi blockade, controlling all of Yemen and accessing its oil and gas revenues. The UN says the escalation displaced more than 120,000 people; hundreds have reportedly been killed on both sides. Saudi Arabia and Western powers accuse Iran of supplying arms, which Tehran denies, saying it provides political support only.
