Yemeni military said it had secured the Red Sea waterway on 15 April 2024, according to a BBC World News report. The statement follows a series of advances by Saudi‑backed forces that have pushed the Houthis from the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait.
Saudi‑backed forces gave conflicting reports about whether they had also seized the port city of Mokha, close to the strait, as reported by Al Jazeera. The agency noted that government forces had driven Houthis from the strait, but no definitive confirmation of Mokha’s capture emerged.
The Bab al‑Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint, handling a significant share of global shipping. Control over this waterway directly impacts international trade routes and regional security. The latest advances suggest a shift in the balance of power in the area.
Saudi Arabia has planned a major offensive against the Houthis, but the United States has declined to join, according to The Guardian. The conflict’s outcome will likely influence the stability of the Red Sea corridor and the broader Gulf region.
Yemeni military secured Red Sea waterway (BBC). Saudi‑backed forces drove Houthis from Bab al‑Mandeb (Al Jazeera). Mokha capture remains unconfirmed (Al Jazeera).
