Joe Wilson, a Republican member of the U.S. Congress, welcomed the success of Yemen government forces in repelling Houthi attacks and said that the Houthis have “lost extensive areas” during these clashes.

Wilson wrote on the social media platform X that with support from the Islamic Republic and Russia, the Houthis intended to reach Bab al-Mandab in order to increase attacks on international shipping. While announcing his support for Yemen government forces, he called for an end to the Islamic Republic’s influence in this country.

Fighting in Yemen has intensified in recent days. Previously, the Houthis had raised concerns about the expansion of disruption along regional commercial routes by threatening shipping in Bab al-Mandab. This strait is one of the important shipping routes between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.