Suez Canal could be closed by Houthi attacks and Western economy shattered as Yemeni militia enter Iran war with attack on Israel
Suez Canal Threatened as Yemeni Militia Enters Iran War with Attack on Israel
Missile strike sparks fears of regional shipping disruption
Analysts warn that the Yemeni militia may disrupt the Suez Canal’s operations following a recent missile launch toward Israel. While Israel’s military confirmed the strike was intercepted, the incident has raised alarms about the potential for the rebels to target critical maritime routes in the region.
“The Houthis could target ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital choke point for traffic heading to the Suez Canal, or even the canal itself,” said Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Such actions could lead to the closure of a second major shipping artery, adding to the already blocked Strait of Hormuz. This might inflict severe economic damage, as vessels struggle to secure insurance for travel through the area.
Regional conflict intensifies with U.S. casualties
Over the past week, more than two dozen U.S. troops have been injured in Iranian strikes on Saudi air bases, including 15 paramedics at the Prince Sultan facility on Friday. Attacks continued through the night, hitting locations in Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and Bahrain.
Israel has vowed to escalate its military actions against the Islamic regime, while U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at deploying forces to the region. Iran warned that such a move would result in a substantial cost.
Houthis commit to prolonged conflict
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have declared their intent to stay in the war until all objectives are achieved. Brig Gen Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, stated that direct intervention would follow if attacks on Iran persisted.
“Our forces are prepared to act decisively if the aggression against the Islamic Republic and the Axis of Jihad continues,” Saree added.
Recent strikes against vessels in the Red Sea during Israel’s Gaza campaign suggest the rebels may resume targeting commercial shipping. This includes potential assaults on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which lies near Yemen’s coast.
Additional strikes reported in Tehran and Lebanon
Footage from a mobile phone captured the aftermath of overnight attacks on a university in Tehran. The Iran University of Science and Technology in Narmak was hit in the early hours of Saturday. A large water facility in Haftkel, western Iran, was also targeted, according to the Khuzestan Governorate’s security deputy.
Despite the damage, no injuries were reported, and water supplies in the area remain operational. Meanwhile, nine medical workers were killed in southern Lebanon today, bringing the total of health professionals lost in March to a new high, as stated by the World Health Organisation’s director-general.
