Dhubab
Dhubab is a strategic coastal city in southwestern Yemen, situated near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In September 2026, it became a focal point of the Houthi offensive to secure territorial control over the southern gateway to the Red Sea.
Dhubab (also referred to as Az-Zubab) is a critical coastal district and city located in the Taiz Governorate of Yemen. Its primary strategic importance stems from its geographic proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrow maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. For Israel and the international community, Dhubab serves as a terrestrial anchor for monitoring and controlling one of the world's most vital shipping lanes, essential for global trade and energy security.
In September 2026, Dhubab became a central objective in a rapid southward offensive by the Iran-backed Houthi movement (Ansar Allah). Following the capture of the port city of Mocha and the Al-Omari military base, Houthi forces advanced toward Dhubab to consolidate their grip on the coastline. By Friday, September 11, 2026, reports indicated that local forces aligned with the Saudi-led coalition had largely collapsed or withdrawn from the area. Houthi operatives subsequently entered the city and seized the maritime control tower overlooking the strait, an action that effectively granted the group operational oversight of vessel traffic.
The fall of Dhubab is viewed by security analysts as a significant escalation in the regional conflict. By holding this position alongside the nearby Perim (Mayyun) Island, the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors have established a functional blockade capability at the southern entrance of the Red Sea. This development directly threatens Israeli maritime interests and has prompted predictions of imminent international military intervention to restore freedom of navigation in the strait.