Houthi forces seize Red Sea corridor, boosting AbdulMalik al-Houthi's influence
AbdulMalik al-Houthi's militia captured key points along Yemen's Red Sea coast, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb strait and global shipping.
In a decisive push, the Houthi militia under AbdulMalik al-Houthi swept through Yemen's Red Sea coast, securing positions that could enable them to block the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical artery for global oil and commodity flows. The operation builds on previous strikes against Saudi Arabia and maritime targets in support of Gaza, showcasing the group's expanded force of tens of thousands equipped with drones and ballistic missiles.
Al-Houthi, described as an elusive commander, has emerged as Iran's most prominent Arab ally after recent setbacks for Hezbollah and Hamas. While the United Nations-brokered 2022 truce halted large-scale fighting, it failed to resolve Yemen's protracted civil war. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, has become the public face of the movement, issuing threats of deeper incursions into Saudi territory. The development raises the prospect of significant disruptions to international shipping and adds strategic leverage for Tehran in the broader Middle-East conflict.
Why it matters
Control of the Bab el-Mandeb could choke a major global trade route, affecting oil supplies and worldwide commerce.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Houthi strikes wound dozens in Saudi cities as coalition vows retaliation
- Sep 10 Saudi civil defence lifted the emergency alert in Khamis Mushait following the Houthi strikes.
- Sep 10 Intense fighting has erupted across Yemen's north, west and central zones, killing at least 194 people and wounding 880 in the past two weeks.
- Sep 10 Houthis intensified attacks on the al‑Makha district near the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait.
- Sep 11 Houthi units have moved onto the Hanish Islands and are pressing southward toward Bab al‑Mandeb.
- Sep 11 GCC nations issued a joint condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UN Security Council.
- Sep 11 The UN International Organisation for Migration says at least 46,000 Yemenis have been displaced since last week as clashes intensify.
- Sep 11 Houthis seized Perim Island and the town of Dhubab.
- Sep 11 Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis attacked the Saudi Arabian southwestern cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan with ballistic missiles and drones.
- Sep 11 Iranian and Saudi diplomats held talks aimed at reducing regional insecurity.
- Sep 11 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Donald Trump to authorize U.S. strikes against the Houthis, but the United States limited its role to intelligence and targeting assistance.
- Sep 11 Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said the pipeline was targeted by several drones launched from Iraq, causing human injuries and damage.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 16 Houthis announced they now occupy the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
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