Houthis Seize Red Sea Coast, Threatening Global Shipping

The Houthi movement has seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coastline and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, intensifying attacks on Saudi Arabia and threatening global shipping and oil supplies. The territorial gains, which began in early September, have given the Iran-aligned group control over a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Houthi forces launched a rapid offensive on September 3, capturing the port city of Mocha and the island of Perim. By September 11, they had taken the Hanish Islands, according to officials and conflict monitors. The advances place the group along the 12-mile-wide strait, through which approximately 6% of the world's seaborne-traded oil passes. The offensive has been accompanied by intensified drone and missile attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. On September 8, Houthi strikes hit oil facilities and utilities across four southern Saudi cities, wounding 73 people and forcing temporary shutdowns, according to the Saudi Energy Ministry. Saudi authorities have reported additional casualties from intercepted drones, including the first announced death in the current escalation on September 17.