Amid escalating US and European warnings about threats to navigation in the Red Sea, and reports of Houthi movements near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Fahad Al-Shelaimi, head of the Gulf Forum for Security and Peace, told Sky News Arabia's Studio One with Fadila that dealing with these developments requires collective action involving the affected countries from navigation threats, along with the European Union and the legitimate Yemeni government.

He considered that what is happening in Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz represents, in his words, a direct threat to international navigation and the global economy, calling for broader coordination to confront what he describes as 'maritime terrorism.'

Linking confronting the Houthis to dealing with Iran

Al-Shelaimi believes that US President Donald Trump will move to 'strike the head of the octopus,' referring to Iran, while considering at the same time that the Houthis 'also need to be addressed.'

He says that the United States, in his estimation, will move to strike Iran in order to 'neutralize it from the Strait of Hormuz and bring it back to the negotiating table,' but he asserts that this does not replace the need for a force to deal with what he describes as 'Houthi terrorism.'

In this context, he points to the 'Prosperity Guardian' alliance, considering it an existing framework that could develop in the coming period, enhancing efforts to protect navigation in the Red Sea.

Collective effort to protect navigation

Al-Shelaimi stresses that Europe is required to assume its responsibilities, along with the states overseeing the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, emphasizing the need for a 'collective effort against Houthi maritime terrorism.'

He enumerates the means he considers manifestations of this threat, including explosive-laden boats, unmanned boats, drones, and random naval mines, asserting that these means already exist.

He also believes that the exposure of European interests to direct threat will push them to engage more, also pointing to the importance of the Egyptian role, given the link between navigation through Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal. He asserts that what is happening in Bab el-Mandeb, as well as in the Strait of Hormuz, constitutes—in his description—'maritime terrorism' targeting the global economy, not just a political maneuver.

Warning of expansion of maritime attacks

Al-Shelaimi expects that the Houthis will carry out operations in Bab el-Mandeb. He says that the use of explosive-laden boats, carrying out what he describes as terrorist operations, and randomly planting mines are all risks that require deterrence, considering that overlooking this issue in the past periods allowed it to continue.

He also sees the Houthis as one of Iran's arms, noting that the continuation of these activities could lead to the shutdown of the Hodeidah port, negatively impacting the Yemeni people.

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The role of the Yemeni government in confronting the threat

Al-Shelaimi stresses the need to carry out offensive operations based on intelligence confirmations, in cooperation with the United States and allied countries, with the legitimate Yemeni government undertaking the movements and preemptive strikes to prevent the danger.

He asserts that terrorism occurs within Yemeni territory, and that the legitimate government bears primary responsibility for confronting it, with the need for support from allied countries.

Iran and using arms to pressure

Al-Shelaimi sees that Iran uses its various arms to disrupt the global economy and show itself in a posture of resilience, considering that it views the tension in Bab el-Mandeb as a negotiating card that can be used.

He says that some Iranian channels encourage, in his view, increasing disturbances and terrorism in Bab el-Mandeb, based on considering it a means to bargain with.

Based on that, he calls for intensifying qualitative US strikes, in parallel with allocating a force to confront the Houthis, comprising the Red Sea littoral states, countries affected by the threats of Bab el-Mandeb, the European Union, and the Yemeni government.

Al-Shelaimi considered that combating maritime terrorism is legitimate under international law, and that protecting navigation in Bab el-Mandeb represents a national, regional, and security duty, as he reiterates his assertion that 'soft rhetoric and diplomatic dialogue' with Iran, in his estimation, 'have not worked,' which requires, in his view, a more effective move to confront threats targeting navigation security.