Yemen: Houthis tighten control of strategic Red Sea towns

Houthi forces have tightened control over crucial Red Sea towns in Yemen, according to recent developments. The Iran-backed militia captured the port city of Mokha and the island of Perim, also known as Mayyun in Arabic, both located within the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Reuters reported that Yemeni government forces withdrew from Perim following the Houthi takeover, while they also seized the coastal town of Dhubab, situated south of Mokha and closer to the strait's narrowest point.

The Red Sea serves as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted by the U.S.-Iran conflict, causing global oil prices to surge. A Houthi spokesperson stated that freedom of navigation and international trade remain unimpeded, targeting specific objectives. The group has previously targeted international shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of launching strikes on the southwestern province of Taiz, with the Islamic Republic's Al-Masirah TV channel confirming these claims. Tensions have escalated in Yemen after four years of relative peace, with the Houthis intensifying efforts to solidify their control over the country's coastline.

This latest territorial gain marks the Houthi militia's most significant advancement since a UN-brokered truce in 2022. The Iran-backed group holds the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, along with much of the north and west. The internationally recognized government operates from the southern city of Aden, receiving substantial support from Saudi Arabia. The civil war in Yemen has claimed over 150,000 lives and pushed many to the brink of famine.