The Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, according to reports. The rebel group seized the last coastal towns in a rapid advance against forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government early Friday, and has advanced toward islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, government sources and witnesses reported. that connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. The route has been an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s energy shipments were transported before the war between the United States and Iran began earlier this year. Houthi fighters arrived in the coastal city of Mocha at dawn on Thursday and then moved out to sea to seize nearby islands, Al Jazeera’s Maha Ali reported from the city of Taiz. Yemeni government sources told the Reuters news agency on Friday that Houthi fighters had reached the town of Dhubab, on the coast of Bab al-Mandeb. Ships carrying fighters arrived at Mayyun Island, also known as Perim, which lies in the heart of the strait after government forces reportedly withdrew, government officials confirmed. “The Houthis have completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandeb area,” a source told the AFP news agency. The Sana’a-based Yemen Press Agency, citing sources on the ground, said Houthi forces seized Al-Omari Camp overlooking the strait. Al Jazeera’s Nabil al-Yousefi, reporting from Sanaa, noted that there has been no official announcement from the Houthi government confirming control over Bab al-Mandeb. Leverage Bab al-Mandeb is the southern gateway to the Red Sea and access to Saudi oil terminals, offering a route to ship crude to Europe while avoiding Hormuz. Traffic in the Red Sea decreased significantly during the Houthis’ previous campaign that targeted shipping there. “The Houthis now have a heavy hand,” Al Jazeera’s Yousef Mawry reported from the capital, Sanaa. “They have influence and control over Bab al-Mandeb and the maritime traffic that passes through the Red Sea.” As the Houthi advance was reported, the average price of diesel in the United States surpassed $6 a gallon and oil prices were set to close above $100 a barrel on Friday for the first time since mid-May. 2027. Iran has successfully applied pressure on the United States by choking off Gulf exports through Hormuz, suppressing energy supplies and raising prices around the world. A member of the Houthi politburo sought on Friday afternoon to allay fears, insisting that international shipping “does not face any danger” from the group. “Freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab are safe and orderly,” Hazem al-Assad told Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper. exit. “There is no cause for international concern as they do not face any danger from the Yemeni side.” Escalation Al Jazeera’s Mawry noted that there are few signs that Yemeni government forces are preparing a counteroffensive to push back the Houthis. However, later reports from Houthi, Saudi and international media said Saudi airstrikes had hit Mocha airport. There was no immediate report of casualties or damage. Al Jazeera could not immediately verify the reports. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for an end to Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen and urging the resumption of negotiations. It was the first statement on Yemen issued by Tehran since the Houthi takeover of Mocha. The Houthis, who control most of western Yemen, renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government earlier this year in response to the US war against ally Iran. The outbreak of hostilities in Yemen illustrates the potential for that conflict to escalate across the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone on Thursday with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir – a key mediator but also a close ally of Saudi Arabia – and separately with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Both calls reportedly focused on mutual coordination and regional stability. The Financial Times reported on Friday that Oman, which has been negotiating with Iran on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, is organizing a meeting with Gulf states to discuss the plan.
