The Zioneer reports that Houthi forces have seized key coastal towns and islands around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, tightening their grip on the strategic waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The advance follows the earlier capture of Mayyun Island and Murad, as confirmed by Yemeni factions earlier Friday.
Friday evening, The Zioneer reported that Houthi forces have seized additional coastal towns and islands around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, further tightening the Iran-backed group's grip on the strategic waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The advance builds on a day of rapid developments that began at 10:26 Jerusalem time when two Yemeni factions—the 'Giant' Brigades and the Pro-Royal Liberation Party—confirmed earlier that Houthi forces had captured Mayyun Island and the port town of Murad.
By Friday afternoon, the scope of reported gains expanded. At 15:31 Jerusalem, Houthi-aligned channels claimed the capture of Dhu Bab island, a strategic point overlooking the strait, and released footage of seized armored vehicles and tanks. Simultaneously, a Gplanet analysis cited by The Zioneer assessed that the Houthis had achieved full control of the Bab el-Mandeb, based on a single channel post. A separate bulletin reviewed by The Zioneer described Houthi celebrations of the takeover without a fight, though neither report carried independent confirmation. The current report indicates the offensive has continued into the evening, with further positions falling under Houthi control.
The Houthi advance along Yemen's western coast has collapsed local forces previously aligned with the Saudi-led coalition, as The Zioneer reported on Thursday. In response, the United States has expanded intelligence and targeting support for Saudi Arabia, establishing a joint command with over 200 personnel. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint for global trade and Israeli energy security.
The extent of the newly captured positions and the precise degree of Houthi control over the strait remain to be independently verified at this hour.
4 developments
- DevelopingHouthis seize Hanish Islands group, tightening grip on Red Sea shipping lanes
- StrongHouthi capture of Bab el-Mandeb coast could enable full strait blockade, The Zioneer assesses
- DevelopingHouthi capture of Camp Khalid, Hayz reshapes Red Sea security balance, analysis finds
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesman declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia
Source and signal
- Open-source intake