Yemen Houthis seize Bab al-Mandab Strait in major Red Sea offensive

SANAA, Sept 12 — The Houthis, backed by Iran, have seized control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast and captured three strategic islands in a swift offensive, solidifying their grip on a crucial shipping route connecting Europe and Asia. This development is expected to intensify the Middle Eastern conflict's impact on global trade, following Saudi Arabia's shutdown of an oil pipeline due to the attacks and Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Over a week of fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced around 46,000 people, according to the UN migration agency. The Houthi takeover of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, is now complete, as well as the islands of Mayyun, Greater Hanish, and Lesser Hanish.

Eyewitnesses reported armed forces positioning along the coastline and moving in military vehicles. The capture of these islands, especially Mayyun, in the middle of the strait, enhances the Houthis' capacity to attack Saudi tankers, which they have been targeting since July. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, heavily relies on the Red Sea due to Iran's Hormuz blockade, which obstructed its shipments via the Gulf.

Iranian supreme leader Khamenei's adviser, Mohammad Mokhber, praised the Houthis for their "resounding victory" on Friday. Oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel this week, while US diesel prices topped $6 for the first time, potentially causing problems for President Trump ahead of midterm elections. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, declared that navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait remains "safe" for everyone except Saudi Arabia following the latest gains.

The Houthi offensive has claimed over 500 lives and displaced approximately 46,000 people, as reported by sources on both sides. This ongoing conflict is part of the renewed hostilities in Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014 with the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa. A local official from Yemen's Saudi-backed government confirmed that the Houthis had fully taken control of the Bab al-Mandab area and Mayyun Island.

A government military official reported that the group has also seized all the remaining islands in the narrow waterway not yet under their control, along with the entire Red Sea coastline adjacent to it.