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SANAA / DUBAI — Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement, issued a stark televised warning on Thursday, March 26, 2026, signaling that his forces are prepared to enter the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. In an address carried by the group’s Al-Masirah TV, the Houthi leader stated that his movement is “not neutral” and will respond with “military stance” if regional developments require it.
The declaration marks a potential end to the “strategic restraint” the Houthis have maintained since the conflict began on February 28, raising fears of a massive disruption to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea shipping.
“Hands on the Trigger”: The Houthi Ultimatum
Al-Houthi’s speech characterized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as an “unjustified” assault intended to implement a “Zionist plot” to reshape the Middle East.
- Ending Neutrality: “We are not neutral, but our position stems from belonging to Islam and the Islamic nation,” al-Houthi declared. He emphasized that the group would “repay loyalty with loyalty,” referencing Iran’s long-standing support for the movement.
- The “Zero Hour” Readiness: While a specific “Zero Hour” for intervention was not named, al-Houthi warned that “any field developments will be met with a military response if needed, as in previous rounds.”
- Global Economic Warning: The leader noted that the war has already “harmed the economic interests of the world’s countries,” suggesting that Houthi intervention would further exacerbate global supply chain and energy price volatility.
The Strategic “Chokepoint” Risk
If the Houthis enter the fray, military analysts expect them to target the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Suez Canal.
| Potential Target | Strategic Impact |
| Bab al-Mandeb Strait | Closure would effectively “double-blockade” global energy, with the Strait of Hormuz already disrupted. |
| Red Sea Shipping | Resumption of drone and missile strikes on tankers from “aggressor countries” (U.S., UK, Israel). |
| Southern Israel | Potential for long-range drone and missile strikes on the port city of Eilat or the Naqab (Negev) region. |
| Saudi Oil Facilities | Though al-Houthi hinted at improved ties with Riyadh, the threat to regional energy infrastructure remains high. |
Why the Delay? “Strategic Restraint” vs. Depleted Stocks
Observers have been divided on why the Houthis—who were highly active during the 2024-2025 Gaza conflict—have remained largely on the sidelines for the first 27 days of the Iran war.
- Preserving Deterrence: Some analysts believe Iran has instructed the Houthis to act as a “strategic reserve,” keeping their arsenal intact to serve as a second-front deterrent if the U.S. launches a ground invasion.
- Stockpile Concerns: Reports from Saudi and Israeli intelligence suggest Houthi missile and drone stocks may be depleted following years of conflict, or that components are currently being rerouted back to Iran to support its own “existential battle.”
- Domestic Survival: Entering the war would likely trigger massive U.S. and Israeli retaliatory strikes on northern Yemen, a region already facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
What’s Next?
The Houthi threat arrives just as President Trump announced a 10-day pause (until April 6) on strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure. However, al-Houthi’s statement that “the war is not confined to Iran” suggests that the Houthis may not feel bound by a U.S.-Tehran pause if they perceive “hostile intentions” continuing in the Red Sea or Lebanon.
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