Former Houthi Spokesperson Warns of Global Shipping Threats

A former spokesperson for the Houthi movement, Ali Al-Bukhaiti, has warned that the group's recent advances in Yemen, particularly near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, pose a significant threat to international shipping. In an interview, Al-Bukhaiti stated that the Houthis are now "zero distance" from the strait, a critical maritime chokepoint, and that Iran's influence is growing, with both Iran and Hezbollah directly involved in military and intelligence operations.

Al-Bukhaiti characterized the Houthi presence at Bab el-Mandeb as a "serious turning point" and a "major bargaining chip" for Iran against the United States. He suggested that Iran views the Houthis as its "diamond in the crown" in the region, more so than Hezbollah currently. He also noted that Saudi Arabia, which supports the anti-Houthi coalition, still perceives the conflict as an internal Yemeni affair.

He cautioned against believing Houthi assurances that shipping will remain open, calling them "tactical reassurances." Al-Bukhaiti predicts that once the Houthis solidify their position in the strait, they will begin to "extort the world," and that the international community, the US, and even Israel and the EU will eventually pay the price if they accept the current reality.

Regarding the Yemeni army, Al-Bukhaiti described it as fragmented, with different factions holding varying political loyalties and military leaderships, leading to internal conflicts. He believes that defeating the Houthis and securing shipping lanes requires an international coalition similar to the one that targeted ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Iraq, emphasizing the need for air support and logistical backing for Yemeni forces rather than direct foreign troop deployment.

Al-Bukhaiti suggested that while Israel should not publicly participate in the conflict to avoid exploitation by the Houthis, it could operate behind the scenes. He expressed opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza but supported shared objectives, such as the downfall of the Houthis.