A member of the Houthis’ politburo on Friday sought to allay global fears for international shipping through the crucial Bab al-Mandab waterway after fighters from the Iran-backed group completed their takeover of the area.
“Freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab are safe and orderly,” Hazem al-Assad told the Al-Araby al-Jadeed news outlet. “There is no cause for international concern, as they face no danger from the Yemeni side.”
