‘This is a nightmare scenario if it escalates further.’

In March 2026, Elisabeth Kendall, President of Girton College at the University of Cambridge, described the Houthi attack on Israel as a "nightmare scenario" with potential for escalation. Kendall highlighted the attack as evidence of the Houthis' commitment to carrying out threats. She expressed concern about the possibility of the Houthis shutting down the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a strategically important waterway. The statement underscores the potential for significant disruption to international trade and security in the region if the conflict intensifies. The Houthis' actions demonstrate a willingness to disrupt international shipping lanes.