Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured a key island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, tightening their grip near the Red Sea and threatening Saudi oil exports, officials said Friday. The seizure comes as Saudi airstrikes targeted Mokha airport in Yemen, marking a rapid and coordinated push in a widening confrontation in the region.
The island’s capture appears to deepen the strategic footprint of the Iran-backed Houthis in the Bab el-Mandeb, a critical chokepoint that funnels shipping into the Red Sea. Officials described the development as a significant advance for the rebels in a swift offensive that could affect traffic through one of the world’s busiest commercial lanes.
The same day, Saudi forces conducted airstrikes on Mokha airport, aiming at Yemeni air facilities. The strikes underscore the ongoing exchange of blows between the Yemeni insurgents and the Saudi-led coalition operating in the country.
Details on casualties, the exact island involved, and the broader operational implications of the seizure were not provided in the available briefings. The reported island capture and the airstrikes together signal a heightened phase of hostilities in Yemen, with regional powers closely watching implications for maritime security and energy markets.