Senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti has claimed the group has taken full control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab area, as Yemen warns of risks to Red Sea shipping and global trade.
SANAA – Web: Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed that it has secured full control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, amid a major escalation along Yemen’s western coast.
Senior Ansar Allah official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti made the claim, according to Iranian media cited in the report. However, the assertion of full control of the strait should be treated as a claim and has not been independently verified.
The development follows the Houthis’ reported seizure of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha in Taiz province. Multiple international reports confirmed the Houthi takeover of Mokha, describing it as a significant expansion of the group’s position near Bab al-Mandab.
Houthis advance along Yemen’s western coast
Reports said Houthi forces have also moved into strategically important areas of Taiz province. The group’s advance has increased concerns over the security of the Red Sea maritime corridor.
The National reported that the seizure of Mokha expanded Houthi control near the Bab al-Mandab shipping route and raised concerns over potential disruption to global energy shipments.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints. Disruption in the area could have wider consequences for commercial shipping and energy markets.
Yemen warns of impact on Suez Canal and global trade
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi has warned that any change in the military situation around Bab al-Mandab cannot be treated as solely a domestic Yemeni matter.
In remarks reported by Yemen’s official Saba news agency, Al-Alimi said any threat to the strait could directly affect the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and global trade.
Al-Alimi also described protecting Yemen’s coastline and restoring state control over its ports and territorial waters as a shared Yemeni, Arab and international interest.
Strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab
Bab al-Mandab is a vital maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is particularly important for shipping between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The latest escalation has therefore raised concerns about another major disruption to global shipping at a time when the wider region is already facing severe pressure on maritime trade routes.
The Houthi capture of Mokha has been described by international media as a significant development in Yemen’s conflict and a major strategic gain for the group.
