RismadarVoice Reporters
September 11, 2026
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has seized control of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha and advanced towards key islands, increasing concerns over its influence on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
Military sources said the Houthi advance along Yemen’s western coastline has strengthened the group’s position near the southern entrance of the Red Sea, where disruption could affect global energy supplies and international shipping.
The group’s movement towards strategic locations, including the Hanish Islands, has raised concerns that the Houthis could gain greater leverage over a waterway that serves as a major route for oil shipments and global trade.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a critical passage for vessels travelling between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal. Any disruption in the area could increase pressure on global energy markets.
Yemeni government military sources said the Houthis’ latest gains represent a significant strategic shift in the conflict, as the group seeks to strengthen its control along the Red Sea coast.
The development comes amid wider regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and their allies, with fears that increased control of key maritime routes could further complicate efforts to maintain secure oil shipments.
The Houthis have previously carried out attacks targeting shipping in the Red Sea, while international governments have warned that instability around major trade routes could have global economic consequences.
Analysts said the group’s expanding influence around Bab el-Mandeb could provide Iran with additional strategic leverage in its broader confrontation with Washington and regional rivals.
