Houthis Target Yemen Highlands as US Reportedly Halts Strikes
Iran-backed fighters advance toward strategic mountains to secure the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, complicating regional energy security.
Key points
- Houthi fighters are advancing to seize the Kahboub Mountains to isolate Saudi-backed forces in southern Yemen.
- US President Trump reportedly canceled planned air strikes on the Houthis at the last minute, despite Saudi requests for aid.
- The conflict threatens global energy supplies by endangering the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prompting Saudi Arabia to reroute oil exports.
Houthi forces are advancing toward strategic mountain ranges in Yemen, aiming to sever the Red Sea coast from areas held by Saudi-backed government forces. This rapid movement follows reports that Washington abruptly canceled planned air strikes against the group, a decision that has intensified tensions in the region.
The escalation threatens to expand the broader Middle East conflict and jeopardize global energy supplies. According to The Straits Times, the situation has created a significant diplomatic dilemma for the United States, which is currently weighing its commitment to Saudi allies against the risk of further involvement in a war that remains deeply unpopular domestically.
US hesitation complicates regional dynamics
President Donald Trump reportedly halted US air strikes at the last minute, even as military personnel were preparing aircraft for the mission. This move comes after the administration had previously rebuffed repeated requests from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to join the fight in Yemen.
The Houthi group, which has controlled Sanaa since 2014, claimed to have fired projectiles at Riyadh on September 19. Saudi Arabia has not officially commented on these attacks, marking the first apparent strikes on the capital since the recent escalation began.
Strategic highlands become key battleground
Military sources indicate that Houthi fighters are now seeking to seize the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahij provinces. Controlling these heights would allow them to open new fronts and protect their recent gains along the Red Sea coast, including areas near Dhubab and Perim Island.
Despite Saudi Arabia launching hundreds of air strikes in recent days, the Houthi advance has not been significantly slowed. According to the United Nations, nearly 700 people have been killed and thousands injured, while over 120,000 Yemenis have been displaced internally or fled across the Red Sea.
Global energy supplies face new risks
The conflict poses a direct threat to global oil supplies by risking the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In response to the instability, Saudi Arabia has begun rerouting oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a shift that is contributing to rising fuel prices worldwide.
Observers are now watching whether the US will maintain its distance or re-engage militarily. The outcome of the battle for the highlands will likely determine the extent of Houthi control over critical maritime chokepoints in the coming weeks.
