Houthi forces claim control of strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemen’s Houthi movement has reportedly claimed control of Zuqar Island, a strategically located island in the Red Sea, amid ongoing regional tensions.

In a significant reaction to the developing situation, the President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has warned that the military changes near the Bab al-Mandab strait could have consequences extending to the Suez Canal and global trade. He described the protection of Yemen's coastal areas as both an Arab and international responsibility.

The claim of control was made by senior Ansar Allah official Muhammad al-Bukhaiti. According to reports citing Iranian media, the Houthi offensive captured the Al-Khaled and Jabal al-Nasr military bases in Taiz province, with a large number of opposing forces reportedly surrendering.

Further reports indicate the Houthi advance down the coast came with direct guidance from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to regional sources. While the Houthis maintain that navigation in the Red Sea is safe for all shipping, they have specified that vessels from Saudi Arabia are now barred. The group also reportedly seized Al-Makha airport and key military bases, including Al-Khaled and Jabal al-Nasr, in the western Taiz province.

Houthi forces have now claimed to have taken full control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to reports on Thursday, September 10.

This development marks a significant escalation in their offensive in the Red Sea. Official confirmation of the claim is awaited.

Yemeni government sources have confirmed that Houthi forces have reached the Red Sea islands of Hanish after capturing the coastal city of Mocha. The advance pushes Houthi-aligned forces towards Dhubab, a town directly on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, further threatening the critical shipping lane.

Despite the escalation, a Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, stated that freedom of navigation in the Red Sea remains safe and that operations are limited to specific targets. He added that these actions would only stop when the “aggression” against Yemen ends. Similarly, the Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center said navigation was safe for all shipping companies except for Saudi vessels, which are subject to a previously announced ban.

Houthi forces in Yemen have claimed control of the strategic Red Sea port of Al Mokha, according to the latest reports. Officials have reportedly confirmed the seizure of the key coastal city.

Houthi forces have launched a major ground assault around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, with reports indicating hundreds have been killed in the fighting. A Yemeni military source told AFP that the rebels had seized the coastal city of Mokha.

The offensive marks a significant escalation in the conflict, targeting the vital Red Sea chokepoint which is crucial for global shipping and oil exports. The assault follows a recent series of retaliatory airstrikes by Saudi Arabia on Houthi-controlled areas and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities.

Saudi Arabia has launched approximately 40 airstrikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, according to Houthi sources on Thursday. The strikes reportedly targeted locations in the governorates of Taiz, Hodeida, Al-Jawf, and Marib.

The aerial bombardment follows recent Houthi missile and drone attacks on several cities in southern Saudi Arabia, including Abha and Khamis Mushait.

Houthi forces have reportedly launched a new missile attack against Saudi Arabia, according to reports on Thursday, September 10.

Details of the specific targets or any potential damage and casualties were not immediately available.

Pakistan's Foreign Office has issued a statement strongly condemning recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. The condemnation comes amid a new round of hostilities, with reports indicating that Saudi forces have launched retaliatory strikes targeting Houthi positions along the Yemen border.

Available reports suggest renewed attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia, prompting a military response from Riyadh. Details of the strikes and any resulting damage or casualties are still emerging.

The conflict between the United States and Iran is increasingly being described as a form of economic warfare, with reports indicating that oil tankers and facilities near the Iranian locations of Qeshm Island, Jask, and Sirik have been targeted.

The conflict has broadened significantly with reports of direct naval clashes between Iran and the United States. Iranian state media claimed its forces struck several oil tankers and two US warships in retaliation for earlier US strikes on Iranian vessels. However, the US military denied that any of its warships were hit, stating that all "attempted attacks failed."

The US Central Command had previously confirmed on Tuesday that it destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers after Tehran allegedly fired missiles at a US warship.

Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesman said that Saudi-backed forces launched 32 airstrikes overnight across Yemen’s provinces of Taiz, Hodeida, Jawf, and Marib. Separately, Iraq’s Transport Ministry reported that a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker was struck by an unidentified source off its coast in the northern Persian Gulf, with no casualties reported.

International reactions included a warning from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate a defence pact, while Türkiye's Foreign Ministry called on the Houthis to cease their actions.

Saudi Arabia has conducted strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, according to reports from Yemeni media on Wednesday, September 9.

The attacks follow a vow from Riyadh to respond after Houthi attacks on Tuesday reportedly wounded 73 people and caused fires at oil facilities in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly intensified its military response against Houthi rebels, with some reports on Wednesday claiming that Saudi forces have entered Yemen. The development follows a series of 32 new airstrikes targeting rebel positions, according to available information.

The claims have not yet been independently confirmed. This marks a potential major escalation in the conflict, which has seen renewed intensity in recent days.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday reported dozens of fresh Saudi airstrikes as the conflict continues to escalate. According to the rebels, more than 40 attacks targeted several regions, including the flashpoint areas of Taiz and Hodeida.

The latest strikes follow heavy Houthi missile and drone attacks on Tuesday which reportedly wounded 73 people and set oil sites ablaze in Saudi Arabia.

Reports indicate that over 500 people have died since the Houthis launched a major offensive last week aimed at seizing territory around the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait. The escalating conflict, taking place amid a wider Middle East war, has seen oil prices return to $100 a barrel.

The Saudi Press Agency has released videos showing the aftermath of Houthi attacks on several cities in the Kingdom, as Saudi forces continue retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has launched retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, according to reports on Wednesday, September 9. The military action is a direct response to the Houthi movement's attacks on four Saudi cities earlier the same day.

Reports on Wednesday, September 9, indicate that Houthi forces have launched attacks targeting four Saudi cities. Accounts from the Yemen-Saudi border reportedly show burning trucks and intense activity following the escalation.

Yemen's Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has reportedly launched major attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, according to reports on Tuesday evening, September 8.

The development marks a significant escalation in the regional conflict, following earlier statements from Saudi Arabia that it would respond to Houthi actions and had conducted airstrikes in Yemen.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has stated that the kingdom will respond to attacks by Houthi rebels, according to reports on September 8. His statement reinforces the kingdom's stance amid an apparent escalation in the conflict.

Further reports indicate that a total of 13 airstrikes have been carried out against Houthi positions. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential risk to international trade through the vital Bab el-Mandeb strait.