예멘 내전, 휴전 4년 만에 ‘최대 교전’…국제물류 차지질 우려↑

A brutal land battle between Yemen's government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the pro-Iran Houthi rebels claimed over 200 lives in the past two days, raising concerns about the further entrenchment of the already fragile Bab-el-Mandeb strait as a key energy transit point. The conflict, which erupted in southern Yemen's Hodaida and Tayhs cities, left 26 government soldiers and 31 Houthi fighters dead.

A bus carrying passengers in Tayhs came under attack by Houthi rebels, killing six civilians and wounding seven others. The previous day's clashes resulted in 129 fatalities, pushing the total toll to 192 over the two-day period. Saudi Arabia is alleged to have conducted three airstrikes on Houthi positions recently, as per Yemeni government sources.

Yemen's interim capital Aden is preparing to send reinforcements to counter the Houthi advance, aiming to secure control over the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The situation echoes the 2021 airstrike on Saana International Airport, where Yemen's government forces claimed to have shot down an Iranian aircraft, but the Houthis retaliated by alleging Saudi involvement and declaring a full cessation of hostilities.

The Houthis have since severed diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, imposing a naval blockade on the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and attacking Saudi naval vessels. As the Houthis consolidate their military presence in the strategic waterway, worries mount about the disruption of international maritime logistics and global supply chains.