On Yemen's West Coast, Houthi Forces Seize Mokha Port and Key Bab al-Mandeb Islands

According to Khabar Online on Thursday, September 18, 2026 (27 Shahrivar 1405), Yemen's Houthi movement, in a coordinated operation, seized full control of Yemen's western coast, the strategic port of Mokha, and key islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, including Mayyun (Perim) and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands. In a separate report, Al Jazeera also reported the Houthi takeover of Mayyun island and the flight of thousands of Yemenis to Djibouti following the advance.

According to these reports, about 12 percent of world trade passes through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and the waterway had become an alternate route for Saudi oil exports after the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The capture of the Hanish islands has brought Houthi forces to within about 32 kilometers of the US military base in Djibouti, on the African side of the strait.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said after the seizures that maritime navigation would be "safe" for all vessels except Saudi ones. Saudi Arabia, which had previously routed some crude exports to the Red Sea via its East-West pipeline and the port of Mokha, carried out limited air strikes on Mokha's airport after the takeover. Tehran has denied any direct involvement in the operations of Yemeni forces.