Houthi Forces Say They Control Key Red Sea Strait
Listen to the story
The Houthi armed group says it now controls the Bab el Mandeb strait, a narrow and important sea passage near Yemen used by many ships carrying oil and goods.
The group has also attacked an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, according to reports. A pipeline is a system of pipes used to move oil over long distances.
US President Trump has commented on the situation, saying that the Houthi contacted him directly. He added that the group does not want a confrontation with the United States.
According to CNN, Trump has twice refused a request for help from Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman. The exact reasons for his refusal have not been detailed in the reports.
Satellite images have been released showing the Saudi pipeline, known as "East-West", both before and after a recent raid. The images reportedly show visible damage to the pipeline.
The Houthi also claim to control large parts of the Red Sea, an important shipping route located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The situation remains tense, as several countries in the region, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, are closely following developments around the strait and the pipeline attack.
Vocabulary10 words
- Houthi
- an armed group based in Yemen
- Bab el Mandeb
- a narrow sea passage used by many ships
- pipeline
- a system of pipes that carries oil
- confrontation
- a serious conflict or fight
- Mohammed bin Salman
- a senior leader of Saudi Arabia
- raid
- a sudden military attack
- Red Sea
- a sea area between Africa and Asia
- strait
- a narrow strip of water connecting two seas
- satellite images
- pictures of Earth taken from space
- shipping route
- a path that ships use to travel
Quiz
Answer key
1. It is a sea passage used by many ships 2. He said no twice 3. The pipeline before and after the raid
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The _____ armed group says it now controls the Bab el Mandeb _____, a narrow and important sea passage near Yemen used by many ships carrying oil and goods.
The group has also attacked an oil _____ in Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
US President Trump has commented on the situation, saying that the Houthi contacted him directly. He added that the group does not want a _____ with the United States.
According to CNN, Trump has twice refused a request for help from Saudi leader _____.
Satellite images have been released showing the Saudi pipeline, known as "East-West", both before and after a recent _____.
The images reportedly show visible _____ to the pipeline.
The Houthi also claim to control large parts of the _____ Sea, an important shipping route.
The situation remains _____, as several countries in the region are closely following developments.