HOUTHIS EXPAND CONTROL AROUND RED SEA, RAISING FEARS FOR GLOBAL SHIPPING

Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have reportedly expanded their control along the country’s Red Sea coast, capturing the strategic port city of Mocha and moving towards key islands close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The development represents a significant shift in the long-running Yemen conflict and has raised fresh concerns about the security of one of the world’s most important maritime routes.

The Houthis’ advance has reportedly pushed Saudi-backed government forces south towards Dhubab, a coastal area located opposite Perim Island at the entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb. The group has also been reported to have moved against strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, although reports differ on whether some of the islands have been fully captured or remain contested.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and provides a major route for ships travelling between the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal and European markets. Any sustained Houthi control or military presence around the waterway could increase the group’s ability to threaten commercial vessels and disrupt the movement of oil and other essential commodities.

The latest territorial gains come amid a wider escalation involving Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. Reuters reported that Iranian weapons and military advice have helped strengthen the Houthi campaign along Yemen’s western coastline, while Saudi-backed forces have struggled to stop the rapid advance. Saudi Arabia has also faced intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks as fighting spreads across the region.

The developments have already raised concerns in global energy markets, with oil prices climbing as traders assess the possibility of further disruptions to major shipping routes. With the Strait of Hormuz also facing severe disruption, greater Houthi control around Bab el-Mandeb could place additional pressure on international trade, energy supplies and shipping costs if commercial traffic through the Red Sea comes under sustained threat.