Houthis Warn Against Saudi Allies Joining Yemen Conflict
Senior Houthi official confirms indirect talks with Washington while vowing continued attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Key points
- Houthi official confirms indirect talks with U.S. via Oman, assuring no attacks on American ships.
- Rebels warn that any nation joining Saudi Arabia in the war will face multi-front military response.
- Houthis continue missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, citing the ongoing decade-long blockade.
A senior official from the Iran-backed Houthi movement has issued a stark warning to nations considering alignment with Saudi Arabia in the escalating Yemeni civil war. Speaking to The Associated Press, Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the rebels' political bureau, stated that his group is prepared to expand the conflict beyond regional borders if any state joins the Saudi-led coalition against them.
The statement comes amid a significant diplomatic development, with al-Bukhaiti confirming that the Houthis have assured the U.S. administration they will not target American vessels in the Red Sea. This assurance follows reports of indirect contacts between Washington and the rebels, mediated by Oman, as the group advances toward the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Diplomatic Channels Open With Washington
According to abcnews.com, President Donald Trump indicated that his administration has engaged in discussions with the Houthis, noting that the rebels expressed a desire to avoid direct confrontation with the United States. While Trump suggested the Houthis are allowing most ships to pass, al-Bukhaiti clarified that these interactions have been indirect, facilitated by Omani mediators who previously brokered a ceasefire in 2025.
The Omani mediation effort stems from a previous agreement that halted a U.S. bombing campaign in exchange for the cessation of Houthi attacks on American shipping. Al-Bukhaiti emphasized that the group’s military objective is not to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait but to ensure freedom of navigation for all parties, explicitly excluding Saudi-linked traffic from this guarantee.
Escalation Risks And Military Capabilities
Despite the diplomatic overtures toward Washington, the Houthis maintain an aggressive posture against Riyadh. Al-Bukhaiti asserted that Yemen possesses the capacity to wage an international war, not merely an internal one, should other nations become implicated in what he describes as Saudi aggression. He linked the recent escalation to a Saudi-led airstrike on Sanaa airport, which he said prevented an Iranian flight carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.
In response to the alleged blockade, the Houthis have declared a shipping restriction on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This includes missile and drone strikes on Saudi infrastructure, including a recent intercepted attack on Riyadh. The group stated that these operations will continue until the decade-long blockade on rebel-held areas is lifted and vessels can reach Houthi-controlled ports.
Diplomatic Stalemate And Future Outlook
The situation presents a complex diplomatic challenge for Saudi Arabia and its allies, who have struggled to contain the Houthi advance. Analysts suggest that a durable solution may require concessions from Iran, the primary backer of the rebels, though recent negotiations between Washington and Tehran have collapsed. Mahdi al-Mashat, president of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, maintained that the door to peace remains open, even as military operations intensify.
The coming weeks will likely be defined by the extent of Houthi control over the western Yemeni coast and the reaction of global powers to the threat against commercial shipping. The balance between direct military confrontation with Saudi Arabia and indirect diplomatic engagement with the United States will determine whether the conflict expands into a broader regional crisis or remains contained within the Yemeni theater.
