Houthi forces in Yemen established control over the country's entire Red Sea coastline and strategic islands across the Bab el-Mandeb strait following a multi-pronged military push. The offensive, which began on 3 September 2026 from western Taiz, southern Hodeidah, and Mocha, culminated on Friday with the capture of Perim Island in the middle of the waterway. A military official from Yemen's internationally recognized government confirmed that all state positions on the western coast were lost after government units withdrew. An 18-hour operation saw Houthi units secure the coastal town of Dhubab before seizing Murad, the final coastal settlement held by government forces. Clashes were also recorded around Zuqar Island and the Hanish archipelago as front lines shifted south.

Maritime transit and diplomatic reactions

Following the capture of Perim Island, Houthi authorities stated that maritime shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb passage would remain unaffected for commercial fleets, excluding only Saudi Arabian vessels. Hazem al-Assad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, addressed the international community to downplay fears of shipping interruptions.

“The freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait is safe and proceeding normally.”

In Tehran, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref welcomed the military advance on social media, describing the territorial gains as victories for the people of Yemen and urging regional governments toward Islamic unity. The British Foreign Office condemned the operation, stating that Houthi forces bear full responsibility for the escalation and calling for an immediate halt to attacks. In Washington, United States officials provided intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia while stating that direct American military intervention is not currently planned.

Oil transit and infrastructure pressures

The territorial shift increases logistical difficulties for Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter. With the Strait of Hormuz on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula already de facto blocked during the regional conflict, Riyadh had relied on the Red Sea and its East-West pipeline to maintain outbound energy flows. The pipeline was shut down following drone strikes launched from Iraq, while satellite photographs showed smoke near pipeline facilities. Saudi crude output had already fallen by 2.3 million barrels per day in August to 6 million barrels per day. International energy markets reacted as Brent crude rose past $100 per barrel to trade around $104 to $105, while the average diesel price in the United States surpassed $6 per gallon.

Fighting around Mocha port

Active fighting broke out around key infrastructure following the capture of Mocha on Thursday, located 80 kilometres north of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Yemeni government officials reported that six missiles hit Mocha's seaport on Friday. The Houthi-affiliated Almasirah network stated that Saudi aircraft carried out retaliatory air raids against the city's airport. Mocha had served as the final functioning port under the full authority of the recognized government, providing supply connections to Taiz. Defence analyst Wolfgang Pusztai assessed the military implications for southern Yemen.

“This constitutes a turning point at this moment in the war.”

Government troops and allied formations have since attempted to regroup south toward Dhubab, while Saudi aerial bombardments continue against Houthi positions across the coastal corridor.