After taking control of Perim Island, Houthi forces have captured the Kahbub area in Yemen's Lahj governorate, which overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from higher ground, according to The Zioneer.
After seizing the strategic island of Perim, Houthi forces have now captured the Kahbub area in the Lahj governorate of southwestern Yemen, which provides a high-ground vantage point over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, The Zioneer reports.
The advance tightens the Iran-backed group's territorial hold on the southern entrance to the Red Sea. Kahbub's elevated position allows direct observation and potential fire control over the narrow maritime chokepoint, a critical artery for global trade and Israeli energy security.
The Houthi movement has been advancing along Yemen's southwestern coast in recent weeks, seizing the port of Mocha, the Al-Omari military base, and the Zubayr airport area, as The Zioneer has previously reported. The group earlier claimed control over the strait after capturing Perim Island and a maritime control tower.
The status of local forces aligned with the Saudi-led coalition in the area remains unclear.
2 developments
- StrongHouthis capture new strategic areas, frame gains with Gaza-Palestinian narrative — The Zioneer assessment
- StrongHouthi capture of Bab el-Mandeb coast could enable full strait blockade, The Zioneer assesses
- ConfirmedAnalyst predicts US strike on Houthis after claimed Perim Island capture
- DevelopingHouthis capture Al-Omari base and Zubayr airport, now 30 km from Bab el-Mandeb
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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