By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Securing America.

What if the very allies the United States has relied on for decades suddenly handed the strategic chokepoint of the Bab al‑Mandeb to a hostile militia?

Houthis Seize the Bab al‑Mandeb

Dr. David Wurmser explained that the Iranian‑aligned Houthis, after joining the war against Israel in October 2023, have now taken full control of the Bab al‑Mandeb strait and the islands within it. The Yemeni government’s recent offensive, he said, was “ill‑advised” and resulted in a rapid Houthi counter‑offensive that left Saudi‑supplied, American‑provided equipment in Houthi hands. The loss of the strait represents a “real strategic headache” for the United States and its allies, threatening the free flow of oil and commercial shipping through the Red Sea.

“The Houthis counteroffensive has now brought them in full control of the coastline, full control of the Bab al‑Mandeb Straits, full control of islands within the Bab al‑Mandeb Straits,” Wurmser said, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Saudi Arabia’s Hedging Strategy Backfires

According to Wurmser, Saudi Arabia abandoned the American‑sponsored security framework years ago, seeking alternative cover from Turkey and, at times, China. This hedging left the kingdom without a reliable partner to counter the Houthis. The Saudis’ decision to align with Turkey brought the Muslim Brotherhood into Yemen, further complicating the conflict and leading to the collapse of the Southern Transitional Government’s (STG) position on Socotra Island.

Wurmser warned that the Saudis “traded UAE and Israeli alliance and Abraham Accords benefits for Turkish strategic cover, and it’s worthless.” He argued that the United States must confront this failure directly, telling Riyadh that continued hedging will not be tolerated.

Turkish Involvement: A Hollow Promise

The conversation highlighted Turkey’s role as an unreliable regional anchor. While U.S. officials, including Ambassador Tom Barak in Ankara, have urged cooperation with Turkey over Israel, recent events have exposed the limits of Turkish support. Wurmser noted that Turkish‑backed Muslim Brotherhood factions in Yemen have “put these tribes out of business,” contributing to the current chaos.

“If you’re counting on the Turks to secure your interests in the region, apart from very nefarious Turkish behavior regarding China and other issues, their strategic offering seems to be a lot more hollow than what the Turks are portraying,” he said.

Energy Shockwaves: The Iraqi Pipeline Attack

Beyond Yemen, Wurmser pointed to a separate Iranian‑backed attack on an Iraqi pipeline that moved 5‑7 million barrels of oil per day from the Gulf to the Red Sea. The blast, he said, was a “probe” and a test of American resolve, coming at a time when U.S. forces have withdrawn protection for Kurdish positions in northern Iraq.

The loss of the pipeline compounds the strategic crisis, reducing oil flow and exposing U.S. forces to Iranian missile threats. Wurmser suggested that the United States must rethink its force posture, leveraging longer‑range standoff weapons and reducing reliance on Gulf bases.

Path Forward: Re‑engage Reliable Partners

Wurmser laid out a clear prescription: the United States should press Saudi Arabia to abandon its hedging, re‑commit to the UAE and Israel, and restore the Abraham Accords framework. By empowering the UAE to revive its alliances with Yemeni tribes and re‑capture Socotra Island, the U.S. could re‑establish a southern and eastern shield over the Bab al‑Mandeb.

He emphasized that “the Saudis have really messed up” by sidelining the American‑sponsored security structures, and that a decisive U.S. leadership role is needed not only in the Arabian Peninsula but also in Iraq and Lebanon. Restoring a reliable coalition would, in his view, “secure from the south and east the Bab al‑Mandeb Straits” and ultimately neutralize the Houthi threat.

In sum, the conversation with Dr. Wurmser paints a stark picture of how strategic miscalculations have handed Iran‑aligned forces a foothold in a critical maritime corridor. The recommended course—re‑aligning with steadfast partners and demanding accountability from Saudi Arabia—offers a roadmap for the Trump administration to reassert American influence and protect global energy flows.

The full episode of Securing America is available on OBBM Network TV.