The Houthis in Yemen, who are backed by Iran, have captured two strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, thereby increasing their influence in this waterway. These developments come as Saudi Arabia faces increasing pressure on its oil export routes.
Details of the Capture of the Hanish Islands
According to reports, the Houthis have captured the large and small Hanish islands, but the exact timing of this action is unclear. Yemen Shabab television reported that nearly 1,000 soldiers allied with the Yemeni government, who were stationed on these islands and also on the island of Zuqar, have fled to Djibouti.
Read more: The Sultan of Oman will travel to the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of Angola
The Hanish islands are located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and their capture extends the Houthis' influence in the southern Red Sea. Last week, they also captured the port city of Al-Mokha and the island of Perim (known as Meyun Island). The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a strategic point that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Escalation of Conflicts and Its Impacts
Attention has turned to the city of Marib, where the gathering of Houthi forces has raised concerns about the potential capture of this area, which is currently the last major base of the Yemeni government in the north of the country. Yemeni media have reported that the Houthis have moved their forces and military equipment to areas under their control in this province.
Conflicts have also intensified in western Taiz, where government forces backed by Saudi Arabia are trying to reclaim areas lost to the Houthis. The Yemeni army announced that on Sunday, it had recaptured areas that had previously been seized by the Houthis in western Taiz.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization announced that from September 6 to 12, conflicts across Yemen resulted in the deaths of 504 people and injuries to 2,379 others. Additionally, as of Friday, at least 77,789 people have been displaced in several provinces.
This escalation of conflicts puts increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia, which has had a military presence in Yemen since 2015. In a post on the social media platform X, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the group has conducted operations against military facilities and infrastructure, including King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
In light of recent developments, Saudi Arabia is seeking consultation with the United States regarding the situation of the Houthis, and the Crown Prince of the country will soon travel to Egypt to discuss the Bab al-Mandab Strait with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Read more: The Trump administration responds to requests from the families of 9/11 victims · Omani Mufti: Muslim scholars should support Ansar Allah
