Houthis Seize 2 Strategic Red Sea Islands
The Associated Press reported Monday, citing Yemeni government and Houthi officials that Houthi forces had captured the Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish islands after hundreds of government-allied forces withdrew from the archipelago.
The islands are located about 160 kilometres north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage and an important route for Saudi oil shipments to Asian markets. The route has become more significant after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was restricted.
The development comes after the Houthis seized the Yemeni port city of Mokha and Mayun Island, also known as Perim, inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, last week. The latest advances have brought Houthi forces to within about 32 kilometres of a US military base in Djibouti, on the opposite side of the strait.
The report said Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces were attempting to rally and counter the Houthi advances, but the rebels' recent gains have so far met little resistance.
The Associated Press said the Houthis' growing control around the Bab al-Mandeb could increase pressure on Saudi oil shipments and, in turn, affect global oil supplies and prices.
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