In August 2025 Israel killed the Houthi prime minister, the chief of staff and a group of their cabinet ministers in a single intelligence-led strike. The Houthis stressed the ceasefire did not in any way shape or form apply to Israel and some attacks continued thereafter. The Houthis extended the ceasefire to Israel in October 2025 when Israel agreed a form of ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Even after the joint Israeli-US assault on Iran in the 12-day war last year, the Houthis largely held back. The Bab al-Mandab, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, has always been vulnerable to Houthis attacks by drones missiles and small boats.

Source: The Guardian March 30, 2026 04:58 UTC