Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, successfully took control of a crucial island at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict and posing a new threat to Saudi Arabia’s oil exports through a vital maritime route. Saudi Arabia promptly responded with airstrikes targeting the airport in the strategic port city of Mokha, recently captured by the Houthis. No immediate reports of casualties or damages were disclosed.
The seizure of Mayun, a small volcanic island in the strait, was verified by a senior military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government and a Houthi representative, both speaking anonymously due to restrictions on media communication. Saudi Arabia, as the world’s top oil exporter, has increasingly utilized the Red Sea for transporting its oil to global markets as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has previously conducted ship attacks.
The Houthi rebels’ actions to disrupt the Bab el-Mandeb channel, which is 28 kilometers wide, have complicated the shipping route, impacting Saudi Arabia’s oil transportation. Saudi authorities refrained from commenting on the situation when approached by The Associated Press for a response.
In a statement released on Friday, the Houthi armed forces celebrated territorial gains along the coast, hinting at further escalation in their conflict with Saudi Arabia. They assured the safety of maritime navigation for all entities except Saudi vessels, heightening market uncertainties. Experts have characterized the Houthis as unpredictable, leading to a surge in crude prices above $100 per barrel this week, granting Tehran additional leverage in potential negotiations.
The Houthis have been targeting Saudi ships in the Red Sea since imposing a blockade in July and have also attacked oil facilities within Saudi Arabia. This aggressive stance was reportedly in retaliation to Saudi Arabia’s prolonged blockade of Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen.
A senior military source from Yemen’s government expressed surprise at the lack of Saudi air force intervention to prevent the capture of Mokha by the advancing Houthis, indicating a perceived lack of approval from the U.S. for a large-scale military campaign. The source also highlighted coordination challenges within Yemen’s army and allied militias, attributing the Houthi success to the disarray among Yemeni forces.
Shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb has significantly decreased since Houthi attacks began in late 2023, aligning with their support for Palestinians in Gaza. Recent threats from the Houthis have disrupted shipping activities, prompting Saudi Arabia to seek alternative routes for oil transportation, such as redirecting oil north through the Red Sea to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal or an Egyptian pipeline, despite the longer distance and associated risks.
The mounting conflict raises concerns about a potential return to civil war in Yemen, jeopardizing the fragile truce that has prevailed since 2022 and endangering the lives of millions in the impoverished nation. The escalating violence has triggered a mass exodus of over 46,000 individuals, with reports of residents fleeing Mokha with their belongings. The Houthis’ longstanding conflict with Yemen’s government, which commenced in 2014, has already claimed numerous lives and plunged the country into turmoil.
