Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic port city of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab strait. This rapid offensive marks a significant blow to the Saudi-backed, UN-recognized government forces, who have been forced into retreat along Yemen's west coast. By capturing Perim Island, which divides the strait into two shipping lanes, the Houthis have effectively completed their takeover of the waterway.
The Bab al-Mandab strait is a critical shipping chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, through which approximately 12% of the world's goods, including crude oil and fuel, are typically shipped. This area serves as a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The seizure of the coast puts roughly a third of the world's seaborne trade under hostile control, potentially increasing Iran's leverage over the U.S. and threatening energy markets.
The advance comes amid intensified fighting that has sparked fears of a return to civil war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has launched dozens of airstrikes, including 54 raids within a 12-hour period, following Houthi attacks on Saudi territory that wounded dozens. Amidst the violence, the Yemeni government has accused Houthi forces of killing three children. This escalation further pushes Yemen into the widening Middle East war.