Houthis take control of island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait; vital trade artery at risk
Houthi rebels have seized control of a Yemeni island and port city in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening a critical global maritime trade route. International officials have expressed alarm, with the US accusing the Houthis of acting as proxies for Iran.
Why it matters
The escalation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait poses a direct risk to global shipping security and energy supply chains, potentially triggering further regional conflict.
Iran-backed Houthis have taken control of a Yemeni island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea, according to officials cited by the Associated Press, giving the group a direct foothold in the strategic waterway and raising fresh concerns over the safety of global shipping.The Houthis have also captured Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mocha and are advancing south towards the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, marking a major escalation in the country’s long-running war.The group has moved against the Hanish Islands, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have withdrawn towards Dhubab, a coastal town located directly on the strait, opposite Perim Island.According to Yemeni government sources cited by Reuters, “Control of Dhubab and the island is key to gaining hold of the strait.”Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and the strait remained safe, but added that Houthi…
Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Iran-backed Houthis capture Red Sea port, putting more pressure on oil markets
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Yemen's Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha
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