Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are threatening a “second phase” of their confrontation with Saudi Arabia, including attacks inside the kingdom, a wider naval blockade and possible ground operations along the Saudi-Yemeni border, Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper reported, citing military sources.
The new phase would broaden Houthi operations at sea and on land. The group is considering restricting shipping across an area encompassing the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, while also targeting Saudi military mobilization centers operating inside Yemen. The Houthis have also threatened to retaliate for violations of Yemeni airspace by striking strategic sites deep inside Saudi territory. Al-Akhbar reported that preparations could extend to fighting along the kingdom’s southern frontier and a ground offensive in the border region.
Sources cited by the newspaper said the Houthis retained military capabilities during the earlier stage of the confrontation and have warned Riyadh that a “more painful” phase is approaching. Houthi-aligned figures have called for action over Saudi deployments along Yemen’s western coast and in Marib and Al-Jawf.
The threats come as Yemen’s government warns of a separate Houthi effort to gain territory near the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a major shipping passage whose importance has increased since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani told AFP that the group is trying “to create the conditions” for taking the strait by expanding along Yemen’s western coast and seeking control of strategic Red Sea islands.
Three Houthi military sources told AFP that about 2,000 fighters, along with rocket launchers, had been sent to front lines in Taiz and Hodeidah in preparation for an advance south of Hodeidah.
The Houthis currently hold Hodeida but do not control the coastline directly bordering Bab el Mandeb. They have recently attacked Mokha, a government-held port near the strait, along with military positions and government-controlled Red Sea islands. They initiated a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia last month and began attacking Saudi ships. In July, Houthis said other shipping through Bab el Mandeb was not subject to the blockade.
