The Advance of Ansarullah in Yemen Increases the Costs of War for America

The advance of Ansarullah on the western coasts of Yemen and the capture of strategic islands have made Bab al-Mandab one of the decisive points in the regional war. These developments occur while pressures on the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions in Saudi oil export routes could change the equation of pressure on Iran and increase the costs of continuing the war for America and its allies.

Recent Developments of Ansarullah in Yemen

In recent days, Ansarullah has succeeded in capturing the port of Al-Mokha and the island of Mayyun at the mouth of Bab al-Mandab, and has also reported capturing the islands of Dhukur, Greater Hanish, and Lesser Hanish. These advances have been clearly confirmed in international reports and indicate the consolidation of the Houthis' position along a significant portion of the Red Sea coast.

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Bab al-Mandab, as one of the most important maritime chokepoints in the world, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Any insecurity in this region can have profound effects on the transportation of goods and energy.

Consequences of Developments in Yemen for Saudi Arabia and America

Although these developments may seem unrelated to the Iran-U.S. war, the reality is that the Strait of Hormuz in the north and Bab al-Mandab in the southwest are emerging as new pressure points in military and economic equations. This is a chain of maritime chokepoints that are simultaneously under crisis.

For America to continue applying pressure on Iran, it must calculate the costs of securing maritime routes and supporting its allies. Saudi Arabia, which has tried to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, is now facing new threats in its alternative routes as well. These threats are particularly evident in the East-to-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which transports oil from the eastern region to the Red Sea coast.

Attacks on this pipeline could have serious implications for global oil supply. Currently, the continuation of this disruption could affect up to 4% of global oil supply and put additional pressure on Saudi oil exports.

The Future of the War in Yemen and the Humanitarian Crisis

It seems that Saudi Arabia is in a situation where the security of its southern borders is no longer sufficient, and it must pay attention to its energy export chain. The Houthis are increasing the costs of the presence and activities of the opposing side by utilizing the coastal geography and their missile capabilities.

Developments in Yemen also have humanitarian consequences. With the intensification of conflicts, reports indicate the displacement of over 100,000 people; this issue reflects the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Given these developments, Ansarullah has positioned itself in a way that challenges the security of global trade routes.

As a result, any conflict in western Yemen is not just an internal issue but could become one of the most important chokepoints of global trade. These developments clearly indicate that the war has shifted from the battlefield to energy transfer routes, and this issue transfers the costs of the crisis to the global market.

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