Yemen's Ambassador to Qatar, Rajeh Badi, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday that Houthi rebels are attempting to seize strategic locations along the Red Sea coast to strengthen their control over maritime routes and launch more effective attacks on vessels. He warned that if the Houthis succeed in stifling Red Sea shipping, the impact could be greater than a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, as the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are lifelines for global energy and food supplies.