World News
Houthis Capture Key Red Sea Islands, Tightening Grip on Major Shipping Route
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have captured two strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their position near one of the world’s most importan...
By Wavers News
The group took control of the Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish islands after forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government withdrew from the area, according to Yemeni government and Houthi officials cited by The Associated Press.
The latest advance comes as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces intensifies along Yemen’s western coast.
Houthis Expand Position Near Bab el-Mandeb
The Hanish islands are located roughly 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The strategic importance of the area has increased as the Strait of Hormuz faces severe disruption amid the wider conflict involving Iran. The Bab el-Mandeb has become an important alternative route for vessels transporting energy and other goods between the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The Houthi takeover of the islands follows the group's recent capture of the nearby port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, which sits inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Together, the territorial gains give the rebels greater influence over an important maritime corridor.
Saudi Oil Shipments Face Fresh Risk
The latest developments could create additional difficulties for Saudi Arabia, which has relied on Red Sea routes to move crude oil as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted.
The Houthis have intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, including strikes targeting oil and economic infrastructure.
The renewed fighting has already raised concerns about global energy supplies and the potential impact of instability around the Red Sea on international oil prices.
The strategic position of the Houthi forces near the Bab el-Mandeb could therefore have consequences well beyond Yemen, particularly if commercial shipping becomes increasingly difficult or risky in the area.
Government Forces Attempt to Regroup
The Houthi advances have reportedly met limited resistance from forces supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government.
However, government forces have begun attempting to regroup.
Yemeni military officials said government-aligned forces had advanced toward Dhubab, a strategically important town located north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The developments come after the Houthis made rapid gains along the western coast, putting additional pressure on government forces and raising concerns that Yemen could once again descend into a wider civil war.
Houthis Move Closer to U.S. Base in Djibouti
The latest territorial gains have also brought the Houthis closer to Djibouti, where the United States operates a major military installation.
The Houthi-held positions are now approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) from the U.S. base across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Djibouti also hosts military facilities belonging to several other countries, making the area strategically important to international powers operating in the region.
The increasing Houthi presence around the strait could therefore add another layer of tension to an already volatile part of the Middle East and Horn of Africa.
Yemen Faces Renewed Humanitarian Crisis
The renewed fighting is also having a severe impact on civilians.
The latest escalation has displaced tens of thousands of people inside Yemen, while others have fled across the Red Sea toward neighbouring Djibouti.
The conflict had experienced a period of relative calm following a 2022 truce, but the recent fighting threatens to reverse those gains.
Humanitarian organisations have warned of worsening conditions as civilians flee areas affected by the fighting with limited access to shelter, food and other basic necessities.
What the Latest Developments Mean
The capture of the Hanish islands represents one of the Houthis' most significant territorial advances in recent years and further strengthens their position around the Bab el-Mandeb.
For Yemen, the development raises the prospect of a return to broader fighting between the Houthis and forces supporting the internationally recognized government.
For international shipping and energy markets, increased instability around the southern Red Sea could create additional pressure on an already disrupted maritime trade network.
The situation remains fluid as government forces attempt to regroup and the Houthis consolidate their recent gains.