An Israeli official warned that the Houthi takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait gives the Iran-backed group the ability to fire anti-tank guided missiles at passing ships at close range, describing the threat as 'worse than Hormuz.' Speaking to N12, the official noted the narrow width of the strait, making vessels highly vulnerable to direct fire from coastal positions now held by the Houthis.
An Israeli security official warned in a briefing to N12 that the Houthi movement's recent territorial gains along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have created an unprecedented threat to maritime traffic. "They will be able to fire at anything they want with anti-tank missiles, they will see the ships with their own eyes," the official said, contrasting the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, which currently draws most global attention. "They are at the narrowest point — this is worse than Hormuz."
The assessment reflects the transformation of the Houthi threat from long-range missile and drone attacks to direct coastal fire control. The Bab el-Mandeb narrows to approximately 29 kilometers, placing shipping lanes within easy range of shoulder-fired or vehicle-mounted ATGMs. The Houthis, in coordination with IRGC advisors, have captured the port of Mocha, Mayyun Island (Perim), Murad, and other positions along the western Yemen coast over the past week, as The Zioneer has reported.
The official's warning underscores a strategic shift: while previous Houthi attacks could be intercepted by naval task forces, ground-based direct fire from positions overlooking the strait is far harder to neutralize. The ability to hold the coastline at the chokepoint gives Tehran a powerful lever to disrupt global energy supplies and Israeli trade via Eilat without relying on longer-range systems. The status of international naval patrols and coalition responses remains unclear, and the IDF has not issued a formal assessment.
10 developments
- StrongHouthi capture of Bab el-Mandeb coast could enable full strait blockade, The Zioneer assesses
- DevelopingHouthis deploy missiles, drones near Bab el-Mandeb, await orders to block strait, new report says
- DevelopingHouthi official threatens to close Bab el-Mandeb, says Iran will shut Hormuz if US pushes Saudi war
- DevelopingIsrael strikes Iran, reports of Houthi threat to close Bab el-Mandeb
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