Houthi rebels seize control of Yemen's Red Sea coastline and strategic islands

On September 11, 2026, Houthi forces completed a significant military advancement, securing control over the entirety of Yemen's Red Sea coastline. Following the withdrawal of government troops, the rebels captured the port city of Mokha, the town of Dhubab, and the island of Mayun (Perim) at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while also advancing toward Zukar Island. These strategic gains were achieved with minimal resistance during an 18-hour operation, effectively giving the Houthis tactical control over vital maritime shipping lanes.

In response to the escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, held talks on Thursday evening to discuss regional insecurity. While the Iranian ministry did not explicitly mention the Yemen conflict in its report, officials from Tehran, including Mohammad Reza Aref, have publicly celebrated the Houthi advances as "victories of the heroic people of Yemen." Meanwhile, the Saudi-backed government of Yemen has seen its defensive positions collapse along the coast, raising international concerns regarding the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.