Houthis seize Mokha port and Red Sea island, tightening grip on critical shipping chokepoint
The Iran-backed rebels' capture of Yemen's strategic Red Sea port and an island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait marks their biggest territorial gains in years, coinciding with global reliance on the route as an alternative to Iran-blocked oil passages.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group on Thursday took over Yemen's port city of Mokha, located roughly 80 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a waterway through which approximately 12% of the world's goods are typically shipped. The group followed this by capturing Mayun Island (also known as Perim) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea on Friday. These represent the Houthis' largest territorial advances in years, extending their control over Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline and giving them commanding positions overlooking one of the world's most critical maritime corridors.
The timing amplifies the strategic significance: the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's primary chokepoint for global energy transit, remains largely closed to foreign shipping following Iran's closure during its war with the United States and Israel that began in late February. With an estimated 12% of global goods and roughly one-fifth of global energy shipments previously routing through the Red Sea as an alternative, the Houthis' expanded territorial control transforms them into a second choke point. Analysts say the Houthis could make shipping substantially more hazardous through mine-laying or expanded attacks, similar to methods Iran's Revolutionary Guard has employed in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes on Mokha's airport, though reports indicated no casualties. The escalation threatens a fragile ceasefire that had largely halted Yemen's civil war since 2022. Shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb has already declined by approximately 60% since the Houthis began attacking vessels in late 2023, prompting major carriers like Maersk and BP to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope—a longer and costlier passage. The latest Houthi advances potentially give Iran additional leverage in its ongoing confrontation with the United States, analysts said, by expanding options to disrupt global energy supplies and commerce simultaneously from two separate chokepoints.
How could this affect you
Traced by who's actually in the path of this — not everyone is.
Likely
Global shipping companies and maritime insurers
Houthi control of Mokha and Mayun Island positions the group to expand mine-laying, missile attacks, and naval interdiction along the Bab el-Mandeb. With already-reduced traffic (down 60%) and proven willingness to strike vessels, carriers face higher insurance costs, longer reroutes around the Cape of Good Hope, or continued exposure to attack. Costs could increase further if the Houthis escalate beyond historical patterns.
Possible
Oil importers and energy consumers in Asia and Europe
Saudi Arabia has been routing millions of barrels daily through Bab el-Mandeb as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked by Iran. Expanded Houthi control raises the risk of supply disruptions or higher transport costs. If both chokepoints face simultaneous constraint, global oil prices could spike and scarcity could spread across energy markets dependent on Middle Eastern supply.
Likely
Yemen's civilian population
Renewed fighting threatens the fragile ceasefire that has held since 2022 and disrupted humanitarian aid delivery. Contested ports like Hodeidah, critical for food and medicine imports, now sit amid active conflict. Fishing communities and those dependent on humanitarian supply routes face increased danger and economic hardship.
Direct
U.S. and allied naval forces in the region
Houthi territorial control from Mokha through the strait expands their ability to strike shipping over a wider area with anti-ship missiles, one-way drones, and naval mines. Naval escorts of individual vessels cannot neutralize Houthi launch sites or supply lines, only protect specific ships. Defending the corridor against an entrenched adversary with terrain advantage becomes operationally more demanding.
Sources
Every claim here traces back to reporting you can read yourself.
