Yemeni government forces retreat as Houthi rebels advance near Bab el-Mandeb

On November 15, 2026, forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced a strategic withdrawal from areas overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This retreat hands control of the vital maritime chokepoint, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and facilitates transit between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal, to the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The decision comes as part of a wider redeployment intended to consolidate defenses around Aden, the government's temporary capital.

Simultaneously, the situation on the ground has deteriorated further, with Houthi fighters reportedly advancing to within 60 kilometers of Aden. Recent clashes in the Lahij province, including a missile attack on a checkpoint in Khor Omeira, resulted in five deaths and eight injuries. Military and government sources confirmed that Houthi forces have seized control of the al-Maqatera and al-Mandraba regions over the past three days. This escalation poses a severe threat to global shipping and oil supplies, mirroring disruptions seen in the Strait of Hormuz. International observers warn that the Houthis’ increased leverage over these corridors could significantly destabilize energy export routes and maritime commerce.