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Yemen's Houthis push deeper into Red Sea, capture 2 islands: What to know

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have captured two strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, expanding their foothold in the waterway as Saudi Arabia faces growing pressure on its oil export routes.

The Houthi rebels have seized control of the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea, enhancing their control over a key maritime shipping route. This development comes as Saudi-backed government forces attempt to regain territory around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial alternative shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of orchestrating Oman's decision to postpone a meeting with regional countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. In Iraq, an ammonia gas leak at a fertilizer plant resulted in two deaths and over 100 injuries. China has expressed deep concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and the potential escalation of the conflict.

Brief written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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