Houthis Seize Full Control of Red Sea Coast, Saudi Oil Pipeline Shut Down
SANAA — Houthi rebels have seized full control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline. In a rapid advance against internationally recognized Yemeni government forces on Saturday morning, the rebel group captured the last remaining coastal towns and pushed into islands in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to government sources and eyewitnesses. The advance further tightens…
SANAA — Houthi rebels have seized full control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline. In a rapid advance against internationally recognized Yemeni government forces on Saturday morning, the rebel group captured the last remaining coastal towns and pushed into islands in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to government sources and eyewitnesses. The advance further tightens Houthi control over the strategic waterway linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the Houthis claim their fighters have taken full control of a key military post overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as well as the strategic Zuqar Island, which naval forces reportedly cleared of opposing troops. Before the US-Iran war broke out earlier this year, roughly one-fifth of the world’s energy supply passed through this route.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its major East-West oil pipeline following attacks. The Saudi Energy Ministry said the pipeline, which was struck a day earlier in the Riyadh and Medina regions, has a capacity of roughly 5 million barrels of crude oil per day, carrying it from Buqayq to the port of Yanbu.
