Saudi-backed Yemen forces claim key Red Sea strait secured

Saudi-backed Yemeni military forces have claimed to have “secured” the Bab al-Mandab, a strategic Red Sea waterway, in a major offensive against Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, the BBC reported.The military said its forces had secured key positions around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait as part of the offensive aimed at pushing back recent Houthi advances along Yemen’s western coast.The offensive, dubbed Operation Yemen Dawn, was launched with Saudi air support as Yemeni government forces advanced along the Red Sea coast, with the military saying it had retaken key positions near the strategic waterway.Saudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said 100 fighter jets were supporting the operation, while Yemeni forces said they had captured Dhubab airport, a key position south of the port city of Mokha.The Yemeni military also said its forces had recaptured the strategic port city of Mokha, a key position on the Red Sea coast.