Houthis capture Al-Omari base and Zubayr airport, now 30 km from Bab el-Mandeb

The Houthi movement, an Iranian proxy in Yemen, has achieved a significant territorial gain in its ongoing offensive along the Red Sea coast. According to reports reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk on Thursday afternoon, Houthi operatives have taken control of the former 17th Brigade headquarters at the Al-Omari base. The seizure includes the Zubayr airport runway, a facility that provides the group with enhanced logistical and potentially aerial capabilities in the region.

Strategic Proximity to Maritime Chokepoint

This advance places Houthi forces approximately 30 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints for global trade and oil shipments. The group is also reported to be within a few kilometers of the coastal city of Dhubab. This development follows the recent Houthi capture of the port city of Mocha, as [The Zioneer reported earlier](https://thezioneer.com/en/article/houthis-capture-strategic-port-city-of-mocha-tightening-grip-on-red-sea-and-bab-el-mandeb-5c935d89), indicating a rapid collapse of local forces previously aligned with the Saudi-led coalition.

Implications for Regional Security

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, serves as a primary southern front for Iran's "Axis of Resistance." By securing positions overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb, the group increases its leverage to disrupt international shipping and threaten Israeli interests. While the situation remains developing, the capture of Al-Omari represents a consolidation of Houthi power in southwestern Yemen, further complicating international efforts to secure the Red Sea corridor. The Zioneer will continue to follow official updates as the security picture in the Bab el-Mandeb sector clarifies.