(https://tms.fmm.io) (../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css) (../build/fonts/inter_latin.640b10a7966d94927c2ec64a71918e48.woff2) (../build/css/video.e2ae9249c29b1e3d8e38.css) (../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css) (../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css) (../build/css/video.e2ae9249c29b1e3d8e38.css) (../build/css/video.e2ae9249c29b1e3d8e38.css) Houthi offensive on Bab al-Mandeb may bring 'tremendous leverage', analyst explains - France 24 (houthi-offensive-on-bab-al-mandeb-may-bring-tremendous-leverage-analyst-explains.html) (../favicon.ico) (https://www.france24.com/apple-touch-icon.png) (../favicon-32x32.png) (../favicon-194x194.png) (../android-chrome-192x192.png) (../favicon-16x16.png) (site.manifest) (https://www.france24.com/safari-pinned-tab.svg) (houthi-offensive-on-bab-al-mandeb-may-bring-tremendous-leverage-analyst-explains.html#main-content) Skip to main content (https://www.france24.com/en/) France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24) (https://www.france24.com/en/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-home) Home (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/latest-shows/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-replay) Shows (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-rewind-clock) Newsfeed (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv) Live en (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) (https://www.france24.com/fr/) Français (https://www.france24.com/en/) English (https://www.france24.com/es/) Español (https://www.france24.com/ar/) عربي (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-settings) Settings (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) (https://emailing.france24.com/en/subscribe) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-mail) Sign up for newsletters (https://www.france24.com/en/news-alerts-settings) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-bell) Manage subscription to notifications (houthi-offensive-on-bab-al-mandeb-may-bring-tremendous-leverage-analyst-explains.html#) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-consent) Manage my privacy settings (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#picto-burger) Menu (https://www.france24.com/en/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-home) Home (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/latest-shows/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-replay) Shows (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv) Live (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-rewind-clock) Newsfeed (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#picto-burger) Menu (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-cross) Close (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/israel-hamas-war/) Mideast conflict (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/nepal/) Nepal-Tibet deadly floods (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/heatwave/) Heatwave (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv) France 24 live (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/) See all shows (https://www.france24.com/en/replay/latest-news) Latest Newscast (https://www.france24.com/en/replay/closed-captioned-newscast) Closed-captioned Newscast (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-guide) TV guide (https://howtowatch.france24.com/en/) Watch France 24 on TV Headings Topics (https://www.france24.com/en/environment) Environment (https://www.france24.com/en/business-tech/) Business / Tech (https://www.france24.com/en/sport/) Sport (https://www.france24.com/en/culture/) Culture (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/the-bright-side/) The Bright Side (https://www.france24.com/en/webdocumentaries/) Infographics (https://www.france24.com/en/fight-the-fake/) Fight the Fake (https://www.france24.com/en/the-observers/) The Observers (https://www.france24.com/en/sponsored-contents/) Sponsored contents By region (https://www.france24.com/en/france/) France (https://www.france24.com/en/africa/) Africa (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/) Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/) Americas (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/) Europe (https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/) Asia-Pacific (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) Previous (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) Next (https://www.france24.com/en/france/) France (https://www.france24.com/en/africa/) Africa (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/) Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/) Americas (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/) Europe (https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/) Asia-Pacific To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Accept (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-check) Manage my choices (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-edit) One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Try again (Una imagen satelital muestra el estrecho de Bab el Mandeb, una vía marítima clave y puerta de entrada al mar Rojo, mientras Irán amenaza con utilizar a sus aliados hutíes de Yemen para cerrar el paso de Bab el-Mandeb hacia el mar Rojo, en esta fotografía distribuida el 12 de julio de 2026.) Cover image: Una imagen satelital muestra el estrecho de Bab el Mandeb, una vía marítima clave y puerta de entrada al mar Rojo, mientras Irán amenaza con utilizar a sus aliados hutíes de Yemen para cerrar el paso de Bab el-Mandeb hacia el mar Rojo, en esta fotografía distribuida el 12 de julio de 2026. © Nasa Worldview/Reuters (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) 08:05 Houthi offensive on Bab al-Mandeb may bring 'tremendous leverage', analyst explains Middle East Issued on: 09/09/2026 - 21:35 Share (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-share) The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Wednesday said the Iran-backed Houthis had launched fresh attacks on the kingdom's south, after the rebels launched an offensive seeking to control the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Adam Baron, Fellow at the New America Foundation, says that "if you have both groups able to disrupt maritime shipping both in the Red Sea and the Gulf, this would be a tremendous exercise of leverage to put pressure for a resolution". Video by: (https://www.france24.com/en/author/mark-owen/) (Mark OWEN) Mark OWEN Keywords for this article (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/yemen/) (Yemen) Yemen (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/saudi-arabia/) (Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/middle-east/) (Middle East) Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/iran/) (Iran) Iran (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/strait-of-hormuz/) (Strait of Hormuz) Strait of Hormuz (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/shipping/) (shipping) shipping (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/oil/) (Oil and gas industry) Oil and gas industry (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) Read more (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down) Read less (https://www.france24.com/en/iran-strikes-ships-expands-no-go-zone-outside-hormuz-strait) (Iran strikes ships, expands no-go zone outside Hormuz strait) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/iran-strikes-ships-expands-no-go-zone-outside-hormuz-strait) Iran strikes ships, expands no-go zone outside Hormuz strait 09/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/new-escalation-in-yemen-deeply-concerning-everyone-in-the-region) ('New escalation in Yemen deeply concerning everyone in the region') (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/new-escalation-in-yemen-deeply-concerning-everyone-in-the-region) 'New escalation in Yemen deeply concerning everyone in the region' 09/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/uk-france-canada-sanction-israeli-west-bank-goods) (A PROPOS) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/uk-france-canada-sanction-israeli-west-bank-goods) UK, France, ⁠Canada sanction Israeli West Bank goods 08/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/netanyahu-under-fire-over-report-uae-warned-of-october-7-attack) (La gente participa en una protesta contra el gobierno del primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu y pide que una comisión estatal de investigación investigue los acontecimientos del ataque del grupo militante Hamás del 7 de octubre de 2023, mientras se reúnen en la plaza Habima, en Tel Aviv, Israel, el sábado 15 de noviembre de 2025.) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/netanyahu-under-fire-over-report-uae-warned-of-october-7-attack) Netanyahu under fire over report UAE warned of October 7 attack 08/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/uk-france-canada-to-ban-imports-from-israeli-settlements) (Des colons israéliens hissent des drapeaux sur une maison palestinienne qu'ils ont saisie, à Beit Sahur, au sud de Bethléem, en Cisjordanie occupée, le 14 août 2026) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/uk-france-canada-to-ban-imports-from-israeli-settlements) UK, France, Canada to ban imports from Israeli settlements 08/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/us-war-on-iran-incompetent-administration-when-it-comes-to-negotiations-and-prosecuting-war) (US war on Iran: 'Incompetent administration when it comes to negotiations and prosecuting war') (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/us-war-on-iran-incompetent-administration-when-it-comes-to-negotiations-and-prosecuting-war) US war on Iran: 'Incompetent administration when it comes to negotiations and prosecuting war' 08/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260907-israeli-strikes-on-southern-lebanon-kill-11) (Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 (2026)) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260907-israeli-strikes-on-southern-lebanon-kill-11) Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 07/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260904-new-fears-of-oil-supply-disruption-as-us-iran-hostilities-resume) (There are fears of oil supply disruptions due to renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260904-new-fears-of-oil-supply-disruption-as-us-iran-hostilities-resume) New fears of oil supply disruption as US-Iran hostilities resume 04/09/2026 Middle East (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260902-iran-us-accused-of-hitting-wedding-party-in-latest-strikes) (EN Iran wedding) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play) (https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260902-iran-us-accused-of-hitting-wedding-party-in-latest-strikes) Iran: US accused of hitting wedding party in latest strikes 02/09/2026 Middle East Happening now (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/france/) France (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/eiffel-tower/) Eiffel Tower (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/paris/) Paris (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/religion/) religion (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/women-s-rights/) women's rights International (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/usa/) USA (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/united-kingdom/) United Kingdom (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/canada/) Canada (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/australia/) Australia (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/germany/) Germany (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/india/) India (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/netherlands/) Netherlands (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/south-africa/) South Africa (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/italy/) Italy About France 24 (https://www.france24.com/en/about-us) Who are we? (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/our-commitments/ethics-and-transparency/) Ethics and transparency (https://www.pressefmm.com/section/france-24/?lang=en) Press room (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24) Contact France 24 (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=edito) Report a problem with our content (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=site) Report a technical issue (https://www.francetvpub.fr/en/brands/france-24/) Advertising (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=vente_contenu) Content licensing (https://recrutement.francemm.com) Join us France Médias Monde websites (https://www.rfi.fr/en/) RFI (https://francaisfacile.rfi.fr/en/) Learn French (https://www.rfi-instrumental.com/en) RFI Instrumental (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/) MCD (https://www.infomigrants.net/en/) InfoMigrants (https://entr.net/en/) ENTR (https://www.zoa.media/) ZOA (https://www.cfi.fr/en) CFI (https://academie.france24-mcd-rfi.com/en) Académie (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/) France Médias Monde Services (https://emailing.france24.com/en/subscribe) Newsletters (https://www.france24.com/en/rss-feeds) RSS feeds (https://howtowatch.france24.com/en/) Watch France 24 on TV Application (https://www.france24.com/en/applications) Download the France 24 app (https://www.rfi.fr/en/) (RFI) RFI (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-rfi) (https://www.france24.com/en/) (France 24) France 24 (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24) (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/) (مونت كارلو الدولية / MCD) مونت كارلو الدولية / MCD (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-mcd) (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/) (France Médias Monde) France Médias Monde (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-fmm) (https://www.francemm.com/en/legal-notice) Legal notice (https://www.france24.com/en/accessibility) Accessibility: partially compliant (https://www.francemm.com/en/privacy) Privacy (https://www.francemm.com/en/cookies) Cookies (houthi-offensive-on-bab-al-mandeb-may-bring-tremendous-leverage-analyst-explains.html#) Manage my privacy settings (https://www.france24.com/en/news-alerts-settings) Notifications (https://f24.my/FBen) (Facebook) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-facebook) Facebook (https://f24.my/BSen) (Bluesky) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-bluesky) Bluesky (https://f24.my/THen) (Threads) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-threads) Threads (https://f24.my/IGen) (Instagram) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-instagram) Instagram (https://f24.my/YTen) (YouTube) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-youtube) YouTube (https://f24.my/TKen) (TikTok) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-tiktok) TikTok (https://f24.my/WAen) (WhatsApp) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-whatsapp) WhatsApp (https://f24.my/TGen) (Telegram) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-telegram) Telegram (https://f24.my/SC) (SoundCloud) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-soundcloud) SoundCloud (https://f24.my/GDen) (Add to my preferred sources) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-google-discover) Add to my preferred sources (https://f24.my/GN) (Follow on Google News) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-google-news) Follow on Google News © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Audience ratings certified by ACPM.(https://www.acpm.fr/Support-Numerique/site/france24-com) (ACPM) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-acpm) ACPM (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24) Page not found (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-cross) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-broken-page) The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.