The Guardian view on the Houthi advance in Yemen: another vital Middle East artery becomes a battlefield
The extraordinary success of the rebels, and Saudi counterstrikes, threaten economic havoc. But the country’s civilians are paying the highest price
TL;DR
- Yemen's Houthis have rapidly advanced along the Red Sea coast, seizing thousands of kilometers and strategically important islands.
- The Houthis now control the Bab al-Mandab strait, a major regional energy chokepoint, impacting global oil supply routes.
- Saudi Arabia's east-west pipeline, vital for moving oil to Red Sea ports, has been shut down due to drone strikes, potentially cutting global crude supply.
- The Houthi advance has forced over 100,000 people to flee, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
- Saudi Arabia faces a choice between negotiating with an emboldened Houthi enemy or re-engaging in a costly full-scale war with limited support.
- The article suggests that a military solution in Yemen is futile and advocates for promoting a political process, protecting civilians, and supporting humanitarian efforts.