Houthis Vow Not to Target U.S. Vessels While Escalating Against Saudi Arabia

Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, told the Associated Press the Iran-backed rebels will not attack United States ships in the Red Sea. He said the group’s sole enemy in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is Saudi Arabia and that any nation joining Riyadh would risk a wider conflict. The statement follows the Houthis’ rapid advance along Yemen’s western coast, including the capture of the port city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands that enhance their ability to monitor maritime traffic.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia HuffPost

The Yemeni civil war began when the Houthis seized large parts of northern and central Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, about twelve years ago. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year to support the internationally recognised government. A cease-fire brokered in 2022 largely froze fighting until the Houthis’ recent gains reopened hostilities. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and carries roughly 12 % of global trade.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia HuffPost

• The Bab el-Mandeb Strait handles about 12 % of world trade.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia

• United Nations estimates place civil-war deaths at a minimum of 150,000 and warn that Yemen is on the brink of famine.

HuffPost

• Houthis: Al-Bukhaiti said the rebels have assured the Trump administration they will not target U.S. vessels, emphasizing that the goal is to keep the strait open for all shipping except Saudi targets. He added that attacks on Saudi Arabia will continue until Riyadh lifts its decade-long blockade on rebel-held areas and permits ships to reach Houthi-controlled Red Sea ports.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia HuffPost

• Saudi Arabia: Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one civilian and injured others, and they confirmed missile and drone strikes on Saudi targets, including a failed attack on Riyadh.

HuffPost

Saudi officials have blamed the Houthis for the latest escalation, citing an airstrike attributed to the Saudi-led coalition that struck Sanaa International Airport and prevented an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing. They argue the Houthis’ blockade of Bab el-Mandeb shipping threatens regional security and global trade.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia HuffPost

Firefighters extinguished a blaze at a fuel depot near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, where the facility bore the logo of Saudi oil giant Aramco. The incident occurred amid intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping.

HuffPost

Sources agree that indirect contact between the United States and the Houthis occurred through Oman, which previously mediated a 2025 cease-fire. The exact nature of the U.S.–Houthi communications—whether a direct meeting took place—remains unclear, as al-Bukhaiti confirmed only indirect contact while other reports mention a meeting hosted by Oman.

Houthis Vow Not To Attack US Ships In Red Sea, Warn Countries Backing Saudi Arabia

The Houthis’ control of Yemen’s western coast and key Red Sea islands shifts the balance of power in the region, giving the rebel-run Sanaa administration leverage over maritime traffic. Their pledge not to target U.S. vessels may reduce direct American military involvement, but the ongoing blockade of Saudi shipping and threats to expand the conflict could further destabilise the Gulf region and disrupt a significant portion of global trade.

HuffPost