The African Union (AU) has expressed its "deep concern" over the offensive launched on September 3 by the Houthis in western Yemen and has condemned the rebels' attacks against Saudi Arabia and "the threats to commercial maritime transport in the Red Sea," after the group consolidated its control in the surroundings of the strategic Bab el Mandeb strait.
The AU Commission has indicated its "special concern" over "reports of attempts to attack Mecca and other holy cities in Saudi Arabia" and has emphasized that "sacred places, as well as civilians and pilgrims visiting them, must be fully protected and must not, under any circumstances, become targets of military actions."
In this context, the African institution has firmly supported the principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and has pointed out that "any action aimed at obstructing or threatening navigation along this strategic maritime route poses a serious risk not only to the coastal States but also to international trade, global supply chains, energy security, and African economies."
The body has also emphasized that "the security of the Red Sea and the Bab el Mandeb strait is also a fundamental strategic interest for Africa, particularly for the Horn of Africa States and the coastal States of the Red Sea."
In this regard, it has warned of the danger of "a greater regionalization of the ongoing confrontations in the Middle East, whose security consequences, as well as the humanitarian and economic repercussions, would directly affect the African continent," according to a statement released by the AU itself.
Therefore, it has urged "the immediate cessation of attacks against civilians, civilian and economic infrastructure, and commercial maritime transport, respect for freedom of navigation, and an urgent de-escalation," in addition to calling for "prioritizing dialogue and political avenues to prevent a further escalation of hostilities and to preserve peace, security, and stability throughout the Red Sea region."
On the ground, the Houthis launched an offensive in areas of the provinces of Taiz and Hodeida and, since then, have achieved significant territorial advances, including the capture of the city of Mocha and the surroundings of the Bab el Mandeb strait, which represents a severe setback for the internationally recognized authorities supported by Saudi Arabia.
These advances reinforce the rebels' ability to influence maritime traffic in Bab el Mandeb --something they have already promised not to do-- a particularly sensitive step given the growing relevance of this maritime passage following the disruptions to transit in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran.
The evolution of the conflict threatens to blow up the truce agreed upon in 2022, after years of war and amid the efforts sponsored by the United Nations to reach a peace agreement that ends the conflict that began in 2014, which has plunged the country into one of the most serious international crises globally.