Yemen's Houthis seize Red Sea islands to tighten grip on oil shipments
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured strategic Red Sea islands. This tightens their control of a critical oil shipping route.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have captured the Hanish islands after government-allied forces withdrew from them. The islands sit 160 kilometres north of Bab el-Mandeb, an important shipping route that serves as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, the rebels captured the port city of Mokha on Yemen's mainland and the island of Mayun inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The captured islands put the Houthis just 32 kilometres from a US military base in Djibouti.
They also tighten the group's hold on maritime oil shipments. The Iran-backed group fired dozens of missiles and drones on Monday at a Saudi military air base in Khamis Mushait.
The attack hit aircraft hangars, radar systems and ammunition storage areas. The fighting is pushing Yemen back into full civil war after a period of relative peace.
- 160 kilometres north of Bab el-Mandeb
- Hanish islands location
- 32 kilometres from Djibouti
- Distance to US base
- Khamis Mushait Saudi air base
- Attack target
- Dozens of missiles and drones
- Attack scale
Why it mattersHouthi control of key Red Sea islands threatens global oil supplies. It could push up energy prices worldwide. It also increases Iran's power in its tensions with the US and Saudi Arabia.
AustraliaIf Houthi attacks disrupt Saudi oil shipments through the Red Sea, global oil prices could rise, making Australian petrol and transport costs more expensive.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
