Yemen tells UN that Houthi rebels’ moves on key strait threaten global economy
Yemen’s internationally recognized government pressed world leaders at the UN for help, saying Houthi rebels’ seizure of the port city of Mokha and Red Sea islands threatens the global economy. The rebels’ new position gives them better surveillance of ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which about 12% of world trade passes. Yemeni Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer urged world leaders not to trust Houthi assurances and to keep weapons and technology from the rebels.
Why it matters: This matters for the theme of maritime chokepoints, as the Houthi advance threatens a strait through which about 12% of world trade passes.