Houthi rebels in Yemen have advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, seizing the port city of Mokha and a Red Sea island from Saudi-backed government forces. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia announced on Friday, September 11, 2026, the closure of a major east-west oil pipeline following drone attacks attributed to Iran-backed Iraqi militias. These events occurred as Iran continued to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from the Associated Press.
These developments followed a February 28, 2026, attack by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, which led to retaliatory Iranian strikes on Gulf states and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia had initially mitigated the impact by using the east-west pipeline and Red Sea routes, but renewed tensions in July 2024 led the Houthis to declare a blockade on Saudi shipping. The current escalation follows a 2022 ceasefire that had paused a conflict estimated to have killed 150,000 people since 2015.
Houthi attacks have significantly reduced Saudi oil exports to Asia, which dropped from approximately 3.4 million barrels per day in June to 128,000 barrels in August, though Kpler reported a partial recovery to 700,000 barrels this month. In response to the growing regional instability, Pakistan has deployed a fighter squadron, an air defense squadron, and ground troops to Saudi Arabia. Security analyst Wolfgang Pusztai noted that recent Houthi strikes have focused on the Yemeni border, potentially indicating a shortage of long-range drones and missiles due to port blockades.
The conflict specifically impacts the 35 million residents of Saudi Arabia and the millions of Yemeni civilians facing potential food insecurity, as the Red Sea coast serves as a primary entry point for humanitarian aid. Saudi Arabia’s "Vision 2030" plan, aimed at transforming the kingdom into a global business hub, faces new obstacles as military spending and infrastructure risks increase. The Houthi seizure of Mokha and Perim Island places them in a position to physically obstruct the Bab el-Mandeb, a 20-mile-wide channel that acts as a gatekeeper for all shipping through the Suez Canal.
The knock-on effects extend to U.S. domestic policy and international defense pacts. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to increase military pressure due to the upcoming congressional elections, stating to Fox News that he might not act because of the vote. This has raised questions about the reliability of U.S. security guarantees for Gulf allies. Meanwhile, the escalation has activated the Mecca Defence Pact, with Pakistan sending troops and aircraft to bolster Saudi defenses. Observers expect intense fighting to continue as the Houthis seek further control of the Red Sea coast, with no set date for a new ceasefire negotiation reported.