Houthi attacks raise fears of wider Middle East conflict and more global economic damage
It comes as US-Iran strikes continue and while a deal to develop Saudi Arabia's nuclear industry prompts fears of an arms race. So is the Middle East becoming more dangerous?So far, 2026 is sadly proving to be one of the more violent years for parts of the Middle East. From there, they have been able to ship oil in bulk to customers in Asia using tankers that depart south, past Yemen and that Bab El Mandeb Strait, and out into the open Indian Ocean.But not anymore - at least not while the Houthis are threatening vessels that pass by their coast.
- ▪It comes as US-Iran strikes continue and while a deal to develop Saudi Arabia's nuclear industry prompts fears of an arms race.
- ▪So is the Middle East becoming more dangerous?So far, 2026 is sadly proving to be one of the more violent years for parts of the Middle East.
- ▪From there, they have been able to ship oil in bulk to customers in Asia using tankers that depart south, past Yemen and that Bab El Mandeb Strait, and out into the open Indian Ocean.But not anymore - at least not while the Houthis are thre
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Houthi attacks raise fears of wider Middle East conflict and more global economic damageImage source, NASA Worldview/ReutersImage caption, Attacks launched from Yemen could disrupt the vital Bab El Mandeb Strait shipping route, further restricting global tradeByFrank GardnerSecurity correspondentPublished23 July 2026Updated 23 minutes agoYemen's Houthi fighters claim to have attacked shipping in the Red Sea - a move that threatens to further escalate the already volatile situation in the Middle East.By forcing ships to turn back from the narrow Bab El Mandeb strait, they have threatened to choke off the main maritime route from Europe to Asia. It comes as US-Iran strikes continue and while a deal to develop Saudi Arabia's nuclear industry prompts fears of an arms race.
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