Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis consolidated control over the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait between September 10 and 11, 2026, by capturing the port cities of Mokha and Dhubab and the island of Perim. The seizures tighten the group's stranglehold over one of the world's most vital shipping lanes.
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Yemen's Houthis close in on stranglehold over strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait Reuters
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis seized control of the historic port city of Mocha on Thursday, four Yemeni government military sources said, gaining further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important shipping routes. There has been an escalation in fighting between Saudi Arabia's Yemeni allies in the internationally backed government and the Houthis in recent days, cr
Explainer: Why is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait so important? Reuters
Sept 10 - The Iran-backed Houthis are seeking to control the whole Yemeni Red Sea coast, which would further consolidate their leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — one of the busiest and most contested global maritime chokepoints.
Iran-backed Houthis reach Yemen's Dhubab on Bab el-Mandeb Strait, sources say Reuters
ADEN, Sept 11 - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Friday reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, potentially tightening their grip on one of the world's vital shipping routes and further increasing the threat to energy markets in the widening Middle East war.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Friday reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, potentially tightening their grip on one of the world’s vital shipping routes. Earlier, two sources from the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government said its forces had withdrawn from Perim and that the Houthis had also taken the
The Houthi takeovers of Mokha, Dhubab and Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait threaten to push Yemen deeper into the Middle East war. The Iran-backed group has made advances against Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia.
WATCH: Yemen’s Houthi fighters somewhere near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.