Saudi Arabia is reportedly trying to prevent the Yemeni Houthi armed group from joining the Iran conflict.

According to U.S. reports on the 21st, Saudi Arabia is trying to prevent the Houthi rebels in Yemen from joining the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. An anonymous U.S. official stated that Saudi Arabia is making efforts to prevent the Houthis from entering the war and supporting Iran. It is also reported that the U.S. and Israel are attempting to avoid provocations that could trigger a response from the Houthis. After the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran in late February, the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis announced that they “fully support” Iran and are prepared to act “when the situation requires.” On the 20th, Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al-Buhaiti said that to support Iran, the group might block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Al-Buhaiti stated that the Houthis are considering all options to support Iran in resisting military strikes from the U.S. and Israel. If they have to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Houthis will only attack ships involved in attacks on Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial passage linking the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean, often called the “waterway corridor” connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. (CCTV News)