The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday alongside growing concerns about the rapid advance of the Houthis along the Red Sea coast of Yemen and the expansion of their control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Bab al-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the most vital shipping chokepoints in the world.

Yemen’s official government has accused the Houthis of trying to impose a “new reality” in the Red Sea and has asked the council to implement a UN arms embargo.

Saudi Arabia, which has also been facing fresh missile and drone attacks on cities and its southern energy infrastructure, has called for a firm international position to protect navigation.

The Security Council also held an emergency session about Yemen last Thursday at the request of Bahrain and the United Kingdom.