Houthis take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, key shipping route

Rapid advance of Iran-backed force threatens key alternative shipping route to Strait of Hormuz.Published On 11 Sep 202611 Sep 2026The Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, according to reports.The rebel group seized the last towns on the coast in a rapid advance against the forces of the internationally recognised Yemeni government early on Friday, and has pushed onto islands in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, government sources and witnesses reported.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What’s happening in Yemen and how did we get here?list 2 of 3Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea city of Mochalist 3 of 3Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate defence pact, Pakistan saysend of listThe advance strengthens the control of the Iran-backed Houthis over the key shipping route. The Red Sea has been utilised as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of global energy shipments were carried before the war between the United States and Iran began earlier this year.Houthi fighters reached the coastal town of al-Makha – also known as Mocha – at dawn on Thursday, then moved offshore to seize nearby islands, Al Jazeera’s Maha A...