Houthi Forces Advance on Red Sea Coast Toward Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Houthi fighters pushed toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) forces withdrew from Hays and Al Khawkhah districts in Hodeidah province and the town of Mokha in western Taiz, retreating toward Dhubab district near the strait. Al Jazeera's live coverage reported roughly 40 Saudi airstrikes following Houthi attacks on oil facilities and infrastructure.

Why this matters. A Houthi push to control territory bordering Bab el-Mandeb threatens Iran-aligned forces' ability to choke a second major shipping chokepoint alongside the Strait of Hormuz, compounding risk to Red Sea vessel traffic and regional oil flows.