Conflict & Security
Houthis capture strategic Bab al-Mandab island, tightening grip on vital shipping strait
September 11, 2026 at 12:32 PM · Updated 35d ago
Coverage
25 reports · 19 in Arabic, 6 in English · over 1231 hours
Yemen's Houthi forces have seized Perim Island and the port of Mocha on the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world's vital oil shipping routes.
- Houthi forces captured Perim (Mayun) Island in the Bab al-Mandab strait after Yemeni pro-government forces withdrew on Friday.
- Saudi Arabia launched air raids on Houthi positions in the Red Sea port of Mocha on Friday, a day after the Houthis seized the city.
- Yemeni government spokesman Majed al-Nuzayli announced large-scale counter-operations, declaring a "kill zone" along the Taiz–Mocha road and warning civilians to stay away.
- At least 46,000 people have been displaced since the fighting escalated last week, the UN migration agency said.
Latest developments
- Sep 11 — The Houthis have captured Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, reaching the Bab al-Mandab shipping gateway.
- Sep 11 — Analysts called the advance the most significant regional development since the US and Israel declared war on Iran in February.
- Sep 11 — The group has targeted Saudi-linked ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait.
















