Iran war live: Saudi Arabia and Houthis trade strikes over Bab al

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-13T00:25:15.774Z • Permanent link

Renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen have escalated into a series of strikes over the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. According to sources close to the Saudi-led coalition, a Houthi missile was intercepted by Saudi air defenses on Tuesday morning, prompting retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi positions in the Red Sea. The incident has heightened concerns about the stability of the region's critical waterway, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial shipping lane for global trade.

Multiple sources indicate that the strikes were carried out by Saudi warplanes, supported by intelligence gathered from US and UK satellite imagery. The Saudi-led coalition has been waging a campaign against the Houthis since 2015, when the rebels seized control of the capital city of Sana'a. The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and widespread destruction, with the international community calling for a peaceful resolution. Diplomatic efforts have been ongoing, but a lasting ceasefire remains elusive.

Regional officials are warning of a potential escalation, with some speculating that the conflict could draw in other countries, including Iran and the United States. The US has been providing military support to the Saudi-led coalition, but its role in the conflict has been the subject of intense debate. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have accused the US of hypocrisy in its support for Saudi Arabia, citing Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its role in the war in Yemen.

The conflict in Yemen has significant implications for global trade and commerce, particularly for companies operating in the region. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint, with over 18,000 vessels passing through it every year. Any disruption to shipping operations could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. Companies such as Maersk, CMA CGM, and A.P. Moller-Maersk have warned of potential delays and increased costs if the conflict escalates.

The conflict also has implications for research communities and policymakers, who are concerned about the humanitarian impact of the war. The United Nations has estimated that over 24 million people in Yemen require humanitarian assistance, with many facing starvation and disease. The conflict has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the war, with reports of oil spills and pollution in the Red Sea.

The conflict in Yemen is part of a larger pattern of regional instability in the Middle East. The region has been plagued by sectarian violence, terrorism, and proxy wars, with multiple countries backing rival factions and militias. The conflict in Yemen is reminiscent of the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, which drew in multiple countries and resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. The Saudi-led coalition has also been criticized for its human rights record, with reports of civilian casualties and torture.