Yemen government mobilises as Houthis seize strategic strait
Yemen's government ordered general mobilisation. Houthi rebels seized the country's western coast. They now control the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Yemen's government leader Rashad al-Alimi announced a call for general mobilisation in a televised address. He ordered citizens to join military ranks against Houthi rebels.
The order comes after the Iran-aligned Houthis launched a lightning offensive. They captured Yemen's western coast.
They took control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The government also offered amnesty to anyone who abandons the Houthi movement.
The decade-long conflict has already displaced an estimated five million people. A 2022 truce left the war largely frozen.
But recent weeks have seen the Houthis step up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. They also imposed a blockade on vessels.
- More than a decade
- Conflict duration
- 5 million estimated
- People displaced
- Bab el-Mandeb
- Strategic strait seized
Why it mattersThe Houthis' sudden territorial gains suggest the Saudi-backed government forces are weaker than believed. This raises questions about the conflict's future and global shipping security.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait affects global trade routes and could influence prices for goods shipped to Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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