Iran-Backed Houthis Advance in Western Yemen, Threatening Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Iranian-backed Houthi militants have pushed deeper into western Yemen, nearing the coastal towns of Mocha and Zuhab at the southern entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, Reuters reported.

The advance positions the group to potentially dominate the entire Red Sea coastline, raising alarm over a new threat to global maritime commerce. The Bab el-Mandeb, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, serves as a critical artery for shipping between Europe and Asia.

Its importance has grown since disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have forced more vessels onto the Red Sea route. Control of the strait would allow the Houthis to disrupt or tax a significant portion of world trade, echoing their previous attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

The offensive underscores the expanding reach of the Iranian-backed movement amid Yemen’s protracted civil war. While the internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition hold other areas, the Houthi push westward could reshape the strategic balance in one of the world’s busiest waterways.

Analysts warn that any sustained Houthi presence on the strait’s shores would complicate international naval patrols and increase insurance costs for shipping lines already strained by regional instability.