Houthi rebels have made significant progress along the Red Sea coast of Yemen, taking control of key ports and islands that are vital for international shipping. The group seized the port city of Mokha from forces aligned with Saudi Arabia, according to military sources. On Friday, pro-government troops withdrew from Perim, also known as Mayyun, a strategic island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Associated Press described the advance as the Houthis' biggest territorial gains in years.
The Houthis also expelled Saudi-backed forces from six districts in Taiz and Hodeidah regions, claiming hundreds of enemy troops were killed, wounded or captured, according to the BBC. Saudi Arabia has long used the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait as key shipping lanes for oil exports to Asia. The International Organization for Migration reported that the number of displaced people in Yemen is rising rapidly, with reports coming in hourly. The U.N. migration agency said more than 46,000 people fled their homes during the latest surge in fighting.
The Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014 and forced the internationally recognized government from the capital, leading to a Saudi-led military campaign in 2015. Today, the group controls much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. A fragile truce had largely halted major fighting since 2022, but renewed hostilities intensified in July and escalated sharply in September.
Until recently, anti-Houthi forces known as the National Resistance controlled much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, according to a report from the BBC. Now that the Houthis have moved into these areas, they are likely to establish strongholds there, according to a senior analyst from the European Institute of Peace in Brussels. The Houthis are not acting alone, as Iran has been providing support and resources to the group.
Iran redirected its backing toward the Houthis after earlier efforts failed, according to the analyst. The war between the US and Iran has already caused political backlash in Washington, with President Trump's stance drawing criticism. For Yemen’s people, who have endured years of civil war, displacement, hunger, and poverty, the latest developments only worsen their situation.
Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, captured Perim island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, according to Yemeni government sources. Two sources from the internationally recognized Yemeni government said their troops had left Perim and that the Houthis also took the mainland coastal town of Dhubab, France 24 reported. If the Houthis gain full control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it could give Iran a strategic advantage in its conflict with the US. Reuters reported that control of Perim and Dhubab is considered important to gaining control over the waterway.
This would reduce oil supply through another major shipping route and potentially raise global prices. The war in the region began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran six months ago, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit point. Since then, Saudi Arabia has depended heavily on the Red Sea route for exporting oil.
Iran and the US have escalated attacks on shipping in the Gulf this week. President Trump has increased economic pressure on Iran, while Iranian leaders have responded with criticism of US actions. Iran confirmed that representatives from Iraq and Gulf states would meet in Oman to discuss safe shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The talks are expected to focus on temporary arrangements for commercial vessels using the waterway.
Satellite images showed smoke near Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline on Thursday, suggesting an attack occurred. The pipeline was temporarily shut due to the incident, with injuries reported, though Saudi officials did not confirm details. Saudi Arabia later said drones launched from Iraq had struck the pipeline. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline had been moving about 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day in recent months.
The International Energy Agency said Red Sea oil loadings fell from 3.8 million barrels per day to 2.2 million barrels per day in August. Oil prices fell on Friday but both major crude benchmarks remained above $100 a barrel, putting them on course to end the week above that level for the first time since mid-May.
Shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb remains about 60% below levels seen before Houthi attacks began disrupting the route in late 2023. A Houthi military spokesperson said maritime traffic remains safe for all vessels except Saudi ships under a previously announced ban.
The group vowed to continue its blockade and escalation until Saudi aggression stops and the siege on Yemen is lifted. Yemeni government forces have indicated they plan a counter-offensive against Houthi gains along the coast. They intend to use weapons and aircraft to push back against Houthi control in key areas such as Mocha, which the rebels captured recently.
Reuters reported that the recent Houthi advance was guided by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to multiple sources from Yemen, Iran, and regional actors. Iran reportedly told the Houthis last week to increase their attacks on Saudi Arabia and promised more funding, weapons, and personnel to support them. Iran officially denies giving direct military orders to the Houthis, calling them an ally rather than a proxy.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly asked President Trump for help in fighting the Houthis, according to sources familiar with the matter. Reuters reported that the request included direct U.S. military assistance. Trump declined to order American strikes but the United States offered intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia.