{
  "id": 6740653,
  "title": "Yemen: Houthis tighten control of strategic Red Sea towns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemen-houthis-tighten-control-of-strategic-red-sea-towns-6740653",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T10:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/yemen-houthis-tighten-control-of-strategic-red-sea-towns/a-79220628?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Reports indicate Houthi militants have taken over the port city of Mokha along with Perim Island, which occupies a strategic position on a vital transport waterway in the Red Sea.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "In a significant strategic gain, Houthis claim control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/in-a-significant-strategic-gain-houthis-claim-control-of-yemens",
        "published": "2026-09-11T08:53:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis complete takeover of Bab al-Mandab area: govt official to AFP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemens-houthis-complete-takeover-of-bab-al-mandab-area-govt-official",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:30:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis complete takeover of Bab al-Mandab area: govt official to AFP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemens-houthis-complete-takeover-of-bab-al-mandab-area-govt-official-6738929",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:36:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Yemen: Houthis tighten control of strategic Red Sea towns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemen-houthis-tighten-control-of-strategic-red-sea-towns",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:10:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Houthis take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, key shipping route",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/houthis-take-control-of-yemens-red-sea-coast-key-shipping-route",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:11:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis reach strategic island at mouth of vital shipping lane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemens-houthis-reach-strategic-island-at-mouth-of-vital-shipping-lane",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:15:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Yemen’s Houthis reach strategic island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemens-houthis-reach-strategic-island-in-bab-el-mandeb-strait",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:55:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Houthis capture Red Sea island in threat to shipping, and other Mideast developments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/houthis-capture-red-sea-island-in-threat-to-shipping-and-other",
        "published": "2026-09-11T11:30:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Yemen: Houthis Tighten Control of Strategic Red Sea Towns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemen-houthis-tighten-control-of-strategic-red-sea-towns-6753750",
        "published": "2026-09-11T11:55:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis reach strategic island at mouth of vital shipping lane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/yemens-houthis-reach-strategic-island-at-mouth-of-vital-shipping-lane-6763579",
        "published": "2026-09-11T13:43:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}