{
  "id": 7092389,
  "title": "Iran pushing Houthis to use Bab Al-Mandab as regional pressure point, Yemeni general says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/iran-pushing-houthis-to-use-bab-al-mandab-as-regional-pressure-point",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T10:08:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/world/1py3xazi0"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nAl-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.",
  "summary": "Yemeni army official accuses Iran of driving Houthi escalation to turn Bab Al-Mandab into a regional bargaining chip, similar to the Strait of Hormuz.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Yemeni official urges international support to counter Iran-backed Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/yemeni-official-urges-international-support-to-counter-iran-backed",
        "published": "2026-09-13T11:11:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Tucker Carlson says Israel sought regional hegemony by weakening Gulf states through Iran war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/tucker-carlson-says-israel-sought-regional-hegemony-by-weakening-gulf",
        "published": "2026-09-13T13:32:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Trump says 'don't care' if Gulf nations meet with Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/trump-says-dont-care-if-gulf-nations-meet-with-iran",
        "published": "2026-09-13T14:22:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Doha News",
        "title": "Ex-Qatari PM: Direct Iran talks needed, Gulf must stand firm on Saudi security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/ex-qatari-pm-direct-iran-talks-needed-gulf-must-stand-firm-on-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-13T15:22:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Analysis-Houthis' Yemen advance leaves Gulf states with uncomfortable choice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/analysis-houthis-yemen-advance-leaves-gulf-states-with-uncomfortable",
        "published": "2026-09-13T17:46:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Iran is set to unveil temporary Hormuz agreement to Gulf nations on Monday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/iran-is-set-to-unveil-temporary-hormuz-agreement-to-gulf-nations-on",
        "published": "2026-09-13T18:57:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran, Gulf states postponed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/oman-says-hormuz-talks-with-iran-gulf-states-postponed",
        "published": "2026-09-13T21:38:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Houthis' Yemen advance leaves Gulf states with uncomfortable choice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/houthis-yemen-advance-leaves-gulf-states-with-uncomfortable-choice",
        "published": "2026-09-13T22:50:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran, Gulf states postponed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/oman-says-hormuz-talks-with-iran-gulf-states-postponed-7191518",
        "published": "2026-09-13T22:52:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran, Gulf states postponed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/oman-says-hormuz-talks-with-iran-gulf-states-postponed-7196746",
        "published": "2026-09-13T23:30:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Houthis' Yemen advance leaves Gulf states with uncomfortable choice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/houthis-yemen-advance-leaves-gulf-states-with-uncomfortable-choice-7202995",
        "published": "2026-09-13T23:55:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}