A new report claims that the Houthi movement in Yemen has deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, awaiting orders from Iran to begin targeting maritime traffic. The move follows reports that Iran has instructed the group to prepare to close the strait if the United States attacks Iranian power infrastructure. The report is based on a single source and has not been independently verified.
At 20:51 Jerusalem, a new report from a single intelligence-monitoring source claims that the Houthis have deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, awaiting an Iranian order to begin striking maritime traffic. The report builds on earlier developments reported throughout Thursday.
The Zioneer reported that at 14:53 Jerusalem, Reuters and Israeli journalists cited multiple sources indicating Iran had instructed the Houthis to be ready to close the strait if the United States attacks Iranian power plants. At 16:49, the Houthis themselves announced that they had completed preparations to strike vessels near the strait. At 18:37, a Reuters report citing three sources confirmed that Iran had given the directive and that the Houthis had completed preparations, including deploying missiles and drones. The new report, from a single source, provides a further claim of specific deployments but carries lower confidence than the earlier multi-source reports.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the growing Houthi threat. On June 8, The Zioneer reported that Israel struck military infrastructure in Iran and the Houthis threatened a Red Sea blockade. On July 13, a Houthi official threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb and said Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz. On July 15, The Zioneer assessed that Iran is preparing to use the Houthis to block the strait, opening a new strategic front.
The new report remains unverified and is based on a single source. The deployment detail, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in the threat to Red Sea shipping, but the timing of any closure remains uncertain, with IRGC officers in Yemen reportedly to decide.
9 developments
- DevelopingHouthis announce readiness to strike vessels near Bab el-Mandeb, Reuters reports
- DevelopingAssessments: Houthis may conduct operational activity in Bab el-Mandeb area
- DevelopingIran preparing to use Houthis to block Bab el-Mandeb, The Zioneer assesses
- StrongHouthis attack vessel in Bab el-Mandeb strait
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