Yemen's Houthis, a Shiite rebel group from the north of the country, took control of the capital Sanaa in late September, and is now marching south, having taken the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and the surrounding governorate on Oct 14.

Security forces apparently surrender upon their approach, but the world, admittedly distracted elsewhere in the region, appears not to have noticed.

The governorate of Hodeidah contains two major airports, two Red Sea ports, much agricultural production and several arms depots. Having been rumored to be receiving smuggled arms from Iran, the Houthis now have access to their own.

Once they take the Bab al-Mandeb port, the Houthis - and by extension the Iranians - will control a port through which passes 40 percent of the world's oil each day, as it controls the Strait of Hormuz.

Yet the international community has been virtually silent on the apparently unstoppable approach of the Houthis, and American drones continue to focus on Al-Qaeda elements elsewhere in the country. Events in Yemen could prove far more damaging to the region and the world than what is happening elsewhere.

As Houthi control is increasing over Hodeidah even police and army, there is a strong possibility that the rebels will be linked with piracy. The ships sailing through Red Sea should inform to UKMTO or warships in the vicinity when suspicious Yemeni army orders to stop the vessel or a vessel needs to request Yemeni coast guard.