Houthis Cement Control Over Vital Asia-Europe Shipping Corridor

Bab al-Mandab Strait Seized in Lightning Offensive

In the wake of a week-long military campaign that resulted in hundreds of fatalities, authorities reported that the Houthis captured the Yemeni portion of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, serving as the southern entry point to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. A local official with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government stated that the Houthis had completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab area and Mayyun Island. A military official representing the government later announced that the group had additionally taken control of Greater and Lesser Hanish—the final two islands within the narrow passage that remained outside their grasp—along with the entire adjacent Red Sea shore. A witness told AFP that gunmen were deploying along the Bab al-Mandab shore and driving around in military vehicles.

Energy Infrastructure Attacks and Pipeline Shutdown

The capture of the islands heightens the Houthis’ ability to attack Saudi tankers, which they have been targeting since July. Ever since the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz cut off its Gulf transport routes, Saudi Arabia—the planet’s largest petroleum exporter—has depended heavily upon the Red Sea. Satellite images from Copernicus Sentinel Data showed black smoke billowing near Medina along the route of the east-west pipeline that carries Saudi oil to its Red Sea coast. The Saudi energy ministry reported that the pipeline, which the kingdom had increasingly relied upon to bypass Hormuz, was forced to shut down following assaults that also caused injuries. An official told the SPA news agency that the pipeline was stopped as a precaution after being subjected to several attacks.

Regional Reactions and Economic Toll

Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, congratulated the Houthis on their resounding victory. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, told AFP that Iranians now control both the Strait of Hormuz and the other most strategic chokepoint in the Middle East. Oil prices have soared past US$100 a barrel, while average US diesel prices topped US$6 for the first time, posing a potential headache for President Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said navigation through the strait was safe for all but Saudi Arabia. The offensive has killed more than 500 people and displaced about 46,000 people, according to the UN migration agency.

Military Escalation in Mokha and Taiz

Before the Red Sea offensive, the Houthis already controlled a large part of Yemen’s north. Following assaults on government-controlled sectors within Hodeida and Taiz provinces, they advanced rapidly down the coastline to capture Zuqar Island, located north of Bab al-Mandab, alongside the port city of Mokha. A resident named Mohamed, 46, who fled Mokha in the middle of the night, told AFP there was an apocalyptic atmosphere in the historic city. The spokesman for Yemeni government forces, Majed Abdullah Al-Nazili, said they began shelling areas along the Taiz-Mokha road, while residents reported hearing airstrikes and Houthi media noted two Saudi strikes hit Mokha’s airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Call to Action: Want to stay updated on shifting geopolitical dynamics and global shipping impacts? Explore our latest analysis articles or subscribe to our newsletter for regular newsroom updates.