Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized two strategic islands in Yemen’s southern Red Sea, strengthening their position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Yemeni government and Houthi officials said the rebels captured the Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish islands, located about 160 kilometres north of the Bab el-Mandeb, according to the Associated Press.
The development follows the Houthis’ recent capture of the Red Sea port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, bringing the group closer to the strategic maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The Bab el-Mandeb is a major international trade route used by vessels travelling between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Any sustained disruption in the area could increase shipping costs and put further pressure on global energy markets.
The latest Houthi advance has raised particular concern over Saudi Arabia’s oil exports. The kingdom has relied on routes through the Red Sea as an alternative for moving crude when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz becomes difficult.
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Reuters reported on Monday that the growing Houthi threat around the Bab el-Mandeb was contributing to higher shipping costs, with tanker rates reaching record levels as uncertainty increased over the safety of oil shipments.
The escalation comes as the wider Middle East remains engulfed in a major security crisis involving Iran, the United States and regional powers. The Houthis are aligned with Iran, giving their advances added significance in the broader confrontation.
The capture of the islands also comes as Yemeni government forces attempt to regroup and prepare a counteroffensive against the Houthis. According to AP, government forces have been moving towards Dhubab, a strategically important area near the Bab el-Mandeb.
The fighting has already had serious humanitarian consequences. Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the recent escalation along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, while the renewed fighting has raised fears that the country could slide back into a wider civil war after several years of relative calm.
For international shipping companies, the latest territorial gains add another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult operating environment. The security situation around the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz has forced companies to reconsider routes, increasing journey times and costs.
The developments are also being closely watched by Gulf countries, which depend heavily on uninterrupted maritime access for oil exports and imports.
For global markets, the central concern is that prolonged instability around the Bab el-Mandeb could further restrict the movement of energy and other goods between major markets.
The Houthi seizure of the Hanish Islands therefore represents more than another development in Yemen’s civil war. It strengthens the group’s strategic position along a crucial international maritime corridor and adds to concerns over global trade, energy security and regional stability.
