The Iran-backed Houthi movement has seized the port of Mocha, advanced onto the Hanish Islands, and pushed government-aligned forces toward Dhubab, closing in on Perim Island at the narrowest point of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to The Zioneer. There is no verified report that Perim itself has fallen. Markets reacted as Brent crude surged above $105 a barrel on fears of a shipping blockade.
The Iran-backed Houthi movement has seized the strategic port of Mocha and advanced onto the Hanish Islands, pushing government-aligned forces south toward the coastal town of Dhubab, according to The Zioneer. The advance brings Houthi forces within striking distance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at its narrowest point, raising fears of a maritime blockade. Markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude surging above $105 a barrel.
The Zioneer first reported at 04:31 Jerusalem on Thursday that Houthi forces had entered Mocha, citing unofficial reports. By that same hour, the capture was confirmed by Yemeni government officials to Reuters. In rapid succession, The Zioneer also reported the capture of Camp Khalid, the towns of Hays and Al-Khawkha, and the Al-Omari military base and Zubayr airport runway, placing Houthi forces within 30 kilometers of the Bab el-Mandeb. At the same time, unofficial reports from Abu Ali Express indicated Houthi forces may have landed on Perim (Mayyun) Island, but this has not been verified by independent sources.
As The Zioneer has reported, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint through which roughly 8.1 million barrels of oil and petroleum products pass daily. The Houthi offensive, backed by Iran, follows their earlier seizure of over 2,000 square kilometers of territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast in recent days. The rapid collapse of local forces once aligned with the Saudi-led coalition has shifted the battlefield in the Houthis' favor.
It remains unverified whether Houthi forces have actually landed on Perim Island, which would give them control of the strait's narrowest point. The status of Dhubab, the next likely coastal target, is also unclear. No independent confirmation of the Perim landing has emerged.
10 developments
- DevelopingHouthis seize Hanish Islands group, tightening grip on Red Sea shipping lanes
- StrongHouthis declared naval siege on Bab el-Mandeb last week, sparking Saudi confrontation
- StrongHouthis capture three villages and strategic heights in southward Red Sea coast advance
- DevelopingHouthis deploy missiles, drones near Bab el-Mandeb, await orders to block strait, new report says
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