Fereydun Nademi, senior researcher in defense and security affairs, told Iran International that the recent pullbacks by the Houthis on several fronts are the result of a combination of the military pressure exerted by the forces of Yemen’s government and the narrowing of Iran’s arms support routes.

According to him, the loss of al-Hudaydah could deal a severe blow to the Houthis’ ability to control coastal lines and threaten shipping in the Bab al-Mandab.