Houthi Forces Say They Control Key Red Sea Strait

The Houthi armed group, based in Yemen, has declared that it now controls the Bab el Mandeb strait, a narrow but strategically vital passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and used extensively for the transport of oil and other goods.

According to reports, the group has also carried out an attack on the "East-West" oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, a major infrastructure asset used to move oil across the country. Satellite images released alongside the reports show the pipeline both before and after the incident, with visible damage apparent in the more recent images.

US President Donald Trump has addressed the situation publicly, stating that the Houthi contacted him directly and indicating that the group does not wish to enter into a confrontation with the United States.

Separately, CNN has reported that Trump twice declined a request for assistance from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The network's report did not specify the exact nature of the assistance requested or Trump's stated reasons for refusing it on both occasions.

The developments come amid wider regional tension, with the Houthi also asserting control over significant portions of the Red Sea, a crucial global shipping route bordered by countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and, across the water, several African states.

Iran, which has previously been linked to supporting the Houthi movement, has also been mentioned in connection with the unfolding events in the region, though the precise nature of its involvement in the latest developments has not been detailed.

The situation remains fluid, with officials and analysts continuing to monitor the strait, the pipeline, and the broader security implications for regional and international shipping traffic passing through the area.