Houthis seize Bab al-Mandab strait and islands, tightening grip on Red Sea trade route
The Iran-backed Houthis captured the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Mayyun Island and the Hanish islands, consolidating control over the vital Red Sea corridor.
On September 11, the Houthis announced they had seized the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Mayyun Island and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, completing control of the narrow passage that links the Red Sea to the Suez Canal. The capture enhances the group’s ability to target Saudi tankers, prompting Saudi Arabia to halt its east-west oil pipeline after several attacks, which has helped push crude prices above US$100 a barrel.
Iranian supreme-leader adviser Mohammad Mokhber hailed the “resounding victory,” and experts say Iran now influences both the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab chokepoints. The offensive has resulted in over 500 deaths and displaced about 46,000 people, according to the UN migration agency. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed navigation remains safe for all except Saudi vessels, while Saudi forces have responded with airstrikes and troop deployments from Aden. The escalation threatens to further disrupt global shipping and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Why it matters
Control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait threatens global oil flow and raises shipping costs worldwide.
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