Edward Marchesi The internationally recognized Yemeni government has launched a harsh accusation against Iran , accusing it of providing weapons, military advice, and logistics to the Houthi rebel group . The accusation, issued on November 3, signals a further deterioration in relations in the region and raises questions about the safety of the sea routes through the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.
Presence of Iranian experts and ties with Hezbollah
According to the Yemeni Foreign Ministry, 21 foreign experts have been identified as working alongside the Houthis. Among them are 14 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and seven Hezbollah militants . Their duties include command and control operations, managing ballistic missiles , deploying kamikaze drones , electronic warfare operations , and smuggling weapons to Yemen's front lines.
Coordination of maritime attacks
Yemeni authorities have also emphasized that these specialists participate in selecting commercial vessels to target, orchestrating attacks with anti-ship missiles and remote-controlled boats. This dynamic has already disrupted commercial traffic in the area, creating a deterrent effect that jeopardizes the delivery of fuel and cargo to the Suez Canal.
The Houthi advance on the Hanish Islands and its repercussions on the Red Sea
Meanwhile, Houthi militias have consolidated their presence on Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands and on Zuqar Island , strategic positions just south of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait . The conquest of these territories is part of a broader offensive along Yemen's western coast, which has already seen the fall of the port city of Mokha . Yemeni Prime Minister Rashad Al-Alimi has warned that any alteration of the status quo in that area can no longer be considered an internal affair, as it directly impacts global trade and energy flows from the Gulf to the Mediterranean.
Long-range projection capability
The Houthis have ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones with an operational range of up to 2.000 kilometers , capable of hitting targets in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and even more than 2.000 kilometers from their territory. The use of remote-controlled boats and minefields makes the Strait area a virtual "hostile corridor," threatening the free movement of merchant ships that are the backbone of global energy trade.
Drone interceptions and escalation of military operations
On November 3, the Saudi- led coalition claimed to have neutralized three drones targeting its territory. The first was shot down over Mecca 's airspace , while the other two were intercepted in the eastern and southern border regions. These same drones were part of a larger offensive that had already hit Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base in Asir province.
Threat to energy infrastructure
In parallel, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles against government positions in Yemen's Ras al-Arah and Al-Mudarabah ( Lahj province ), as well as artillery against forces in the northern province of Al-Jawf . A warning was addressed directly to the Saudi national oil company Aramco , noting that its infrastructure remains within range of their weapons systems. These developments heighten the risk of a new wave of tension that could jeopardize the security of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and, consequently, global trade routes.
The combination of Iranian support , the presence of foreign experts , and the Houthis' rapid territorial expansion pose an unprecedented challenge to the stability of the Red Sea . Regional authorities, including Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, have already threatened to activate joint defense pacts, making the entire area a potential flashpoint for larger-scale conflict.