Houthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen - theconversation.com

Yemen’s Houthi armed forces patrol the capital Sanaa on Sept. 12, 2026. Mohammed Huwaish/AFP via Getty Images Houthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen Published: September 17, 2026 2:08pm EDT https://theconversation.com/houthi-advance-boosts-irans-leverage-over-the-us-and-saudi-arabia-but-may-cost-rebel-group-its-legitimacy-back-in-yemen-291930 https://theconversation.com/houthi-advance-boosts-irans-leverage-over-the-us-and-saudi-arabia-but-may-cost-rebel-group-its-legitimacy-back-in-yemen-291930 Link copied Share article Share article

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It took just a few days for Houthi forces to seize most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast , including the shores of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait , a crucial Red Sea maritime choke point.

The offensive started on Sept. 3, 2026, with a push to cut the strategically important road linking the city of Taiz to the port of Mokha. By Sept. 11, Mokha, the town of Dhubab and the island of Mayyun, in the mouth of the strait, were under Houthi control .