Houthi Rebels Warn Against Joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s Civil War

Iran-backed Houthi rebels warn against joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen's civil war, stating they won't attack U.S. vessels in the Red Sea.

Editorial Desk

September 21, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Cairo, Egypt — A senior official with Iran-backed Houthi rebels has warned countries against aligning with Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict, emphasizing that their group has assured the Trump administration it will not target U.S. vessels in the Red Sea.

Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, told The Associated Press that his group confirmed to Washington they would not attack any nation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, except for Saudi Arabia. He also stated that the rebels have the capacity to fight on multiple fronts if any country becomes involved in the aggression against Yemen alongside Saudi Arabia.

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The Houthis have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi-led coalition, which entered the war on behalf of the internationally recognized government. The rebels have seized key areas along Yemen’s western coast, including the port city of Mokha and critical Red Sea islands, which allows them to monitor shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The balance of power has shifted in favor of the Sanaa government, according to al-Bukhaiti.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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