The Houthi movement in Yemen has reportedly dug trenches and planted mines near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a report cited by The Zioneer says. No details on the scope or timing of the fortifications have been disclosed.
In a further escalation, a new report cited by The Zioneer indicates that the Houthi movement has dug trenches and planted mines near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, adding a land-based defensive layer to their strategic position. The development follows earlier reports of naval mine deployment in the waterway itself.
Earlier this week, The Zioneer first reported that Houthi forces had begun laying naval mines in the strait. Later the same day, a German news agency cited Yemeni military sources confirming the naval mine deployment. Those reports built upon The Zioneer's coverage from September 11, which documented the Houthis' capture of Yemen's western coastline, including the Dhubab district and the maritime control tower overseeing the strait—effectively asserting direct territorial control over the critical chokepoint.
This latest report of trench-digging and landmine placement suggests the group is consolidating its positions for sustained control of the strategic corridor. It follows earlier assessments, reported by The Zioneer in July, that the Houthis had deployed missiles and drones near the strait and were awaiting Iranian orders to block maritime traffic. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a key artery for global energy and trade routes.
The scope, timing, and exact location of the new fortifications remain undisclosed. The report is based on a single external source and has not been independently verified. It is unclear whether these measures represent a new operational phase or an extension of existing defensive preparations.
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