Deep Dive: Al-Ayyam Newspaper Reports Threats of War and Iran's Mines in Yemen

The article from Al-Ayyam Newspaper highlights escalating tensions in Yemen involving threats of war and Iran's alleged deployment of mines, reflecting broader regional power struggles in the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen, long fractured by civil war since 2014 between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government, serves as a proxy battleground where Iran supports the Houthis with arms and training to counter Saudi influence and secure strategic Red Sea access. Key actors include Iran seeking to expand its 'Axis of Resistance' against Sunni powers and Israel, the Houthis aiming to consolidate control over northern Yemen including Sanaa, and Saudi Arabia along with the UAE defending their southern borders and shipping lanes. Geopolitically, these mines threaten vital maritime routes like the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, through which 10% of global oil transits, potentially spiking energy prices worldwide and disrupting trade for Europe, Asia, and beyond. Culturally, Yemen's tribal structures and Zaydi Shia heritage in the north align with Iranian backing, deepening sectarian divides exacerbated by foreign interventions. The center-leaning Aden-based outlet, aligned with the Southern Transitional Council, frames this as external aggression, underscoring local resentment toward Houthi-Iran ties amid humanitarian catastrophe. Cross-border implications extend to global shipping firms rerouting vessels, increasing costs for consumers, and heightened naval patrols by the US-led coalition. Stakeholders like the UN, pushing for truce extensions, face setbacks, while Oman mediates quietly to prevent spillover. Outlook remains tense, with potential for wider Gulf conflict if mines target commercial ships, affecting millions in Yemen's famine and beyond.