Houthis tighten grip on Bab al-Mandab as Yemeni forces and US respond

Houthi forces have consolidated gains around the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait amid reported Iranian expert support and Yemeni and US responses.

• Houthi forces captured Mocha in September and have expanded toward Perim island, tightening their control over the strait and Red Sea coast.
• Two Houthi military sources reported Iranian experts visited Bab al-Mandab and Mocha to oversee tunnel-digging and radar installation.
• Yemeni government forces said they repelled a Houthi assault at Kahbub near Bab al-Mandab and downed a suicide drone.
• The US State Department warned the conflict could escalate rapidly after Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports.