**Houthis Take Control of Yemen’s Red Sea Coast, Key Shipping Route**
*Published on 11 September 2026*
The Houthi rebel group has reportedly seized complete control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, marking a significant shift in power dynamics in the region. This development comes after a rapid military advance against the forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, culminating in the capture of several coastal towns and strategic islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
According to government sources and eyewitness accounts, Houthi fighters reached the coastal town of al-Makha, also known as Mocha, early on Thursday. Following this, they moved offshore and took control of nearby islands. Reports indicate that they have also advanced to the town of Dhubab, located on the coast of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which serves as a crucial maritime passage.
An anonymous local government official confirmed that Houthi boats had landed on Mayyun Island, situated in the heart of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, following a withdrawal of government forces. This development has been characterized as a complete takeover of the Bab al-Mandeb area by Houthi forces. Additionally, the Sanaa-based Yemen Press Agency reported that the Houthis had captured the Al-Omari camp, which overlooks the strait.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a vital shipping route that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key passage for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia to Europe. The control of this strategic waterway by the Houthis could have significant implications for global shipping and energy prices, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in the region and the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States.
Analysts note that the Houthis' control over the Red Sea coast enhances their leverage in the region, particularly as the strait has been used as an alternative route for shipping since tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year. The Strait of Hormuz has historically been a critical chokepoint for oil shipments, with approximately one-fifth of global energy supplies passing through it.
The recent military advances by the Houthis have coincided with rising oil prices, which have surged above $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-May. The International Energy Agency has forecasted a decline in global oil supply and demand, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which is expected to further disrupt normal oil flows from the Middle East into 2027.
As the situation continues to evolve, there are currently few indications that Yemeni government forces are preparing a counteroffensive to reclaim lost territory from the Houthis. The international community is closely monitoring developments in Yemen, as the control of the Red Sea coast by the Houthis could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global energy markets.
While the Houthis have not issued an official statement confirming their control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, their recent military successes underscore the shifting balance of power in Yemen's ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over six years and has resulted in a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of civilians.