Houthi Offensive Seizes Red Sea Territory, Tests Regional Alliances

Houthi forces have seized key territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the port of Mokha and islands near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, in a rapid offensive that began on September 9, 2026. The advance has threatened Saudi oil exports and exposed gaps in the U.S.-led security architecture, prompting Saudi Arabia to seek alternative assistance. The offensive, described by officials and analysts as a significant intelligence failure, saw Houthi fighters capture Mokha on September 10 and Perim Island on September 11, followed by the Hanish Islands by September 14. The territorial gains give the Iran-backed group the ability to threaten a second vital shipping corridor, alongside Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthi advance coincided with a shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline on September 11 after drone attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The pipeline is a critical alternative export route for Saudi crude, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi officials have reported additional attacks, including a ballistic missile and drone strike on the Sharurah base on September 13.