Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized Yemen’s Red Sea port of Mokha, the island of Mayun, also known as Perim, and the Hanish Islands, according to officials from Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi representatives Citation 1 from dawn.com[1]Citation 2 from npr.org[2]Citation 3 from thehindu.com[3]. The gains give the group control of Yemen’s side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, after Saudi-backed government forces withdrew from the islands and parts of the western coast Citation 4 from bbc.co.uk[4]Citation 5 from euronews.com[5]Citation 6 from theguardian.com[6].
The advance threatens Saudi Arabia’s alternative oil-export route after Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh said it shut the East-West pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack, while Saudi aircraft struck Mokha airport after the Houthis captured the port Citation 2 from npr.org[2]Citation 7 from vaildaily.com[7]. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said maritime navigation was safe for all companies except Saudi vessels Citation 2 from npr.org[2]Citation 8 from wxyz.com[8]. President Trump declined Saudi requests for direct U.S. strikes Citation 1 from dawn.com[1]Citation 4 from bbc.co.uk[4]