Afghanistan, July 17 -- Yemen's Houthi movement is preparing to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, according to a report published by Britain's The Telegraph. If carried out, the move could disrupt global shipping and force commercial vessels to take longer routes around southern Africa.
According to The Telegraph, which cited informed sources, the Houthis have not yet launched the operation but are waiting for what they consider an appropriate moment. The newspaper reported that the move is viewed by regional observers as part of a broader strategy aligned with Iran to increase pressure on the United States and its allies by threatening key maritime chokepoints.
The report ha...