Trump says 'don't care' if Gulf nations meet with Iran

Yemeni army official Major General Abdulaziz Al-Majidi claims Iran is pushing the Houthi rebels to utilize the Bab Al-Mandab Strait as a regional pressure point akin to the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Majidi, Chief of Staff of the Taiz Axis in the Yemeni army, stated that the recent surge in battles with Houthi forces is merely an early phase of what he termed an "Iranian agenda" aimed at turning the strategic waterway into a bargaining chip.

He reported that the Houthis initiated offensive operations on multiple fronts roughly 11 days ago, primarily on the western side targeting Al-Kadha, Al-Barh, and Hays. During this period, the Houthis launched over 120 ballistic missiles towards government forces and civilian areas.

Al-Majidi cautioned that the ongoing confrontations do not signify the end of the conflict, but rather a "war of attrition." He affirmed that military operations persist across various fronts. Al-Majidi accused Iran of driving the current Houthi military escalation, attributing it to hardline factions within the Iranian leadership seeking a strategic advantage in the region.

He compared the Houthi movements towards the Hanish, Zuqar, and Mayyun islands to Tehran attempting to create a "second Hormuz" to pressure the international community, labeling this approach as a "reckless gamble" with repercussions extending beyond Yemen and threatening global maritime security and trade. Al-Majidi stressed that the loss will primarily be felt by the Yemeni people.

He affirmed that the current confrontation marks the start of the "real battle," asserting that temporary resolutions or precarious peace deals will not resolve the conflict with the Houthis. Al-Majidi highlighted the unity between the Yemeni army and society in countering the rebels, noting that popular support for government forces remains strong during both combats and periods of tranquility through backing fighters on the front lines.