Houthis take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key shipping route

Rapid advance of Iran-backed force threatens key alternative shipping route to Strait of Hormuz.The Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, according to reports.The rebel group seized the last towns on the coast in a rapid advance against the forces of the internationally recognised Yemeni government early on Friday, and has pushed onto islands in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, government sources and witnesses reported.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What’s happening in Yemen and how did we get here?list 2 of 3Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea city of Mochalist 3 of 3Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate defence pact, Pakistan saysend of listThe advance strengthens the control of the Iran-backed Houthis over the key shipping route of Bab al-Mandeb, which links the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea.The route has been an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global energy shipments were carried before the war between the United States and Iran began earlier this year.Houthi fighters reached the coastal town of Mocha at dawn on Thursday, then moved offshore to seize nearby islands, Al Jazeera’s Maha Ali reported from Taiz city.Yemeni government sources told the Reuters news agency on Friday that Houthi fighters had reached the town of Dhubab, on the coast of Bab al-Mandeb.Boats carrying fighters reached Mayyun Island – also known as Perim – that sits at the heart of the strait after government forces withdrew, government officials were reported to confirm.“The Houthis have completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandeb area,” one source told the AFP news agency.The Sanaa-based Yemen Press Agency, citing field sources, said Houthi forces seized the Al-Omari camp overlooking the strait.Al Jazeera’s Nabil al-Yousefi, reporting from Sanaa, noted there has been no official announcement by the Houthi government confirming control over Bab al-Mandeb.