Houthis seize Red Sea coast and key islands in shipping strait

Houthi forces have seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline and captured strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, cementing their hold on a vital shipping corridor and escalating the Middle East conflict's impact on global commerce. The weeklong offensive, which has left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands, culminated in the capture of the island of Mayun, also known as Perim, located in the center of the strait. A local official with Yemen's internationally recognized government confirmed on Friday that the Houthis had completed their takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb area and Mayun Island. A government military official later reported the group had also seized the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands and control of the neighboring Red Sea coastline. "Everything that was under our control on the western coast has fallen," the military official stated. The Houthis' military spokesman, Yahya Saree, declared that maritime navigation through the strait was "safe" for all companies except Saudi vessels, which have been banned.