The Houthis in Yemen have taken control of the strategically important Hanish islands including Zaqar in the Red Sea, at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, giving them significantly greater capability to enforce their blockade against Saudi shipping.
The Houthi’s spokesperson Yahya Qasim Saree said that only Saudi Arabian shipping will be targeted and not international shipping.
The gains form part of a sweeping new offensive by the Iran-backed group, which has overturned years of relatively static front lines in Yemen. The Houthis first pushed south through government-held territory before capturing the strategic port of Mocha, from where they continued towards Dhubab and Bab el-Mandeb. Various reports have confirmed that they have effectively taken Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline. The Houthis are now also fighting for the city of Marib which is home to Yemen’s gas complexes.
Saudi Arabia has also been forced to shut down its East-West Pipeline after multiple drone attacks damaged facilities along the route, further disrupting crude oil deliveries to the Red Sea. The drones were launched from Iraq, according to Saudi authorities. The pipeline served delivered oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and was offsetting the the reduction in passage through the Strait of Hormuz. WTI futures closed on Friday above $100.
Houthi fighters have also filmed themselves with US military equipment that was captured from Saudi Arabia’s forces (footage below).
Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested US President Donald Trump for military intervention, however he declined The US will instead provide intelligence for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing airstrikes.
There has been no reaction by the Mecca partners so far.
Newsroom
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