Houthis seize Yemeni port, gain control of vital Red Sea strait
Houthis seized Mocha and reached the Hanish Islands, controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Iran-aligned Houthis captured Yemen's port city of Mocha and advanced toward strategic islands overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most important shipping passages.
Control of the waterway would give Iran power over global oil and trade. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter.
It has relied heavily on the Red Sea route since conflict closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian strikes have damaged US fighter aircraft at a base in Jordan.
The development marks an increase on a second front. The UN's special envoy for Yemen called the situation a new and more dangerous phase of the war.
US President Donald Trump said he expects the conflict to end after November's midterm elections. However, he has previously set other deadlines.
- Mocha, Yemen
- Port city captured
- Hanish Islands
- Strategic islands reached
- about one-fifth
- Global oil through Hormuz
- Saudi Arabia
- World's largest oil exporter
Why it mattersControl of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could disrupt oil supplies and trade, raising shipping costs and energy prices worldwide.
AustraliaAustralian energy prices and shipping costs could rise if the strait falls under hostile control and global oil supplies tighten.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 19 h ago
