The Iran-Allied Houthi Rebels In Yemen Have Still Not Joined Iran’s Retaliation Against The US-Israel Aggression.

Sanaa, Yemen; March 2026: Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been crippled as a result of Iranian threats, leading to a worldwide energy shock. Meanwhile, Iran’s allies across the region are fighting in support of Iran, particularly the Hezbollah in Lebanon, as Iran is bravely counterfeiting the full strength of the United States and Israel, and is fighting back, using the cards at its disposal.

But Iran is still to unleash one card from its sleeves – the Houthis. The Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen, despite demonstrating their capabilities by attacking shipping in the Red Sea for two years after the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, have so far sat out the current conflict. It is still uncertain as to when these sympathisers pull their triggers. Houthi chief Abdel-Malik al-Houthi has previously said that his group’s “hands are on the trigger”, promising action at the right time.

Earlier on March 21st, an Iranian military official had reiterated that any “US aggression” against Iran’s oil facilities on Kharg Island would pave the way for Tehran to destabilise the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which lies west of Yemen, at the entrance to the Red Sea. A blockade of Bab al-Mandeb, a vital maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to global trade routes, would further destabilise the energy market, but the military, economic and humanitarian repercussions for Yemen could be just as devastating and costly, as per analysts.

Abdulsalam Mohammed, the head of the Yemeni Abaad Studies and Research Center, said that if the Houthis were to get involved in the war in support of Iran, they would focus on attacking energy facilities and ports in Gulf countries, and preventing ships from passing through Bab al-Mandeb. Abdul Mohammed said that the effects of such a move would trigger a renewal of Yemen’s own internal conflict.

“The clashes on Yemen’s front lines are poised to reignite, potentially ushering in a new chapter of war between the Houthis and pro-government Yemeni forces”, Mohammed said. The two sides have fought a seven-year war, which effectively paused in April 2022 after they signed a United Nations-backed truce. But Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces may seize the opportunity if the Iranian ally is weakened by foreign attacks or distracted by conflict and launch their own battle.

Last year, the US and Israel conducted a series of air strikes in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, killing several political and military leaders in Sanaa, the country’s Houthi-controlled capital. But in May, the Houthis and the US agreed to a truce, which included a Houthi agreement to stop attacks on US shipping in the Red Sea. The group later stopped attacks on Israel and Israeli-linked shipping after the October Gaza ceasefire deal.

Mohammed, the analyst, now believes that the Houthi-US agreement is on the verge of collapse. And if that happens, he says that a renewal of the ground war in Yemen is likely. “Today, the military preparedness of the Yemeni government forces appears better, particularly after they stabilised the situation in South Yemen. In addition, pro-government Yemeni forces will receive foreign support, particularly from the US and Saudi Arabia, should they commence a new battle against the Houthis”.

Earlier this year, the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, regained control of Aden and other southern provinces, ending years-long infighting with separatists seeking an independent state in southern Yemen. The developments have led to a renewed confidence within the Yemeni government, which now believes that it can consolidate and eventually take the fight to the Houthis.

Any escalation in Bab al-Mandeb will complicate the movement of fuel and goods from the region, adding to the global economic troubles brought on by the US-Israel war on Iran. But it would also deal a “tremendous blow” to Yemen’s economy, Mustafa Nasr, head of the Studies and Economic Media Center, told Press Reporters. “Yemen depends on imports for petrol, diesel and food commodities. The chaos in the waterway off the country will disrupt the shipping operations, which can result in immediate price hikes. With no substitutes, Yemeni civilians will bear the brunt”, said Nasr.

Traders in Yemen recently said that international shipping companies had informed importers of a new $3,000 “war risk” fee on each container bound for Yemen amid the continued war in Iran. Those fees have been imposed even though Bab al-Mandeb is currently safe for ships to travel through.

“When this passage becomes an effective war front, the repercussions for the local population will be harsher. There will be an increase in the price of fuel, a rise in shipping fees and an increase in the insurance fees. It will form a serious tragedy for the population”, said Nasr. He indicated that instability in Bab al-Mandeb would also harm the economies of the Gulf Arab states, which would, in turn, have a big impact on Yemen.

Nasr added, “At present, the Yemeni state depends on the financial backing of Saudi Arabia. The longer this war goes on, the bigger the losses will be in the Gulf economies. This will definitely derail the Yemeni economy”. Yemen depends on imports to meet domestic demand for food and other essential goods, with roughly 85% of its food supply coming from abroad.

Team Maverick.