Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement has warned that if the United States intervenes in the Yemeni conflict to support Saudi Arabia—with which the Houthis are in armed conflict—or attempts to lift the blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it will attack key U.S. assets in the Middle East, including military bases.

In an interview with AFP in the capital of SANA on the local date of September 23, Houthi military adviser Abed Mohammed al-Sour stated, "If the United States mobilizes its fleet to intervene militarily or tries to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, this will be a red line," adding, "We will fight back against it."

He raised his voice, warning, "If the United States takes the gamble of helping Saudi Arabia, we will consider all facilities associated with the United States around us as targets, without any exceptions."

He also threatened, "We will completely close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to American vessels."

Al-Sour further denied allegations that they are acting under directives from Iran.

He claimed, "Iran is a friendly and brotherly ally to us, but it does not give us orders," maintaining, "We are independent in our sovereignty and decision-making."

Al-Sour added, "As long as Saudi Arabia insists on destroying our country and killing our people, we will deal a relentless blow," and asserted, "We have sufficient capability to punish Saudi Arabia and completely drive them out of the oil and economic game."

Earlier this month, the Houthis seized towns and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint at the gateway to the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, faces a crisis shaking the foundation of its national economy due to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz followed by the Houthis' control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Following recent clashes that left hundreds dead, the Houthis completely drove Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces off the Red Sea coast.

Furthermore, Houthi drones and missiles are targeting major facilities, including the Saudi capital of Riyadh, for the first time in years.

U.S. media outlets reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for support to defeat the Houthis.

According to well-informed sources, the internationally recognized Yemeni government has also requested support from the international community and the United States.

On the other hand, the Houthis have blamed Saudi Arabia for worsening the situation by launching hundreds of airstrikes on Yemen since fighting resumed in July, shattering a truce that had held for about four years.

While the civil war in Yemen broke out years before a direct conflict between the United States and Iran, the recently reignited combat has taken on the form of a proxy war between their respective allies amid a deadlock in the standoff between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf region.

As the war intensifies, the humanitarian crisis is also growing.

The United Nations expressed concern in an announcement the previous day that the number of displaced persons in Yemen, currently standing at around 130,000, could surge to over 230,000 within several months.