Aden – The United States and the United Kingdom have sharply intensified their criticism of Yemen’s Houthi movement, accusing the Iran-backed group of undermining regional and international security, detaining United Nations personnel, and engaging in transnational criminal activities including drug trafficking.

In coordinated statements issued Tuesday, officials from both governments condemned the Houthis’ continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning that such actions threaten global trade routes and violate international law.

“The Houthis have repeatedly demonstrated a reckless disregard for civilian lives and maritime security,” said a senior US State Department official. “Their actions not only destabilize the region but also endanger the global economy.”

British Foreign Secretary also voiced concern, stating that the group’s behavior “has crossed into criminal territory,” citing credible intelligence linking Houthi networks to narcotics smuggling operations across the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

The accusations come amid growing alarm over the reported detention of several UN humanitarian staff in Houthi-controlled areas. UN officials have called for their immediate release, warning that such actions jeopardize relief efforts in a country already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Western diplomats have hinted at possible sanctions and expanded military coordination in response to what they describe as “escalating provocations.” The Houthis, for their part, have denied the allegations and accused the US and UK of “militarizing the Red Sea” and supporting Israeli operations in Gaza.

The renewed pressure reflects a broader shift in Western policy toward Yemen, as international actors seek to contain the ripple effects of the conflict and curb the influence of Iran’s regional proxies.

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