The Iran-backed Houthi movement, in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has fully captured the western coast of Yemen after entering and seizing the city of Az-Zubab, according to The Zioneer Intelligence Desk. The advance places them at the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthi movement, supported by Iran's IRGC, has completed the capture of Yemen's western coastline, including the city of Az-Zubab, according to The Zioneer Intelligence Desk. This latest advance follows a rapid offensive along the Red Sea coast that saw the group seize the Al-Omari military base and the adjacent Zubayr airport runway on Thursday afternoon — putting them 30 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — as The Zioneer reported at 16:05. Earlier that day, at 14:03, The Zioneer detailed the Houthis' capture of the strategic port city of Mocha, which collapsed Saudi-backed defenses across more than 2,000 square kilometers. Thursday night's report indicates the Houthis now hold the entire Yemeni side of the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, one of the world's most critical maritime arteries. The extent of any remaining resistance or international response was not detailed in the report. The offensive, coordinated with Iran's IRGC, has dramatically shifted the balance of power along the strait, through which a significant portion of global oil and trade transits.
- DevelopingHouthis capture Al-Omari base and Zubayr airport, now 30 km from Bab el-Mandeb
- StrongHouthis advance south along Red Sea coast, close in on Perim Island at Bab el-Mandeb
- StrongHouthi capture of Bab el-Mandeb coast could enable full strait blockade, The Zioneer assesses
- DevelopingHouthis seize Hanish Islands group, tightening grip on Red Sea shipping lanes
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