Houthis seize key Hanish islands in southern Red Sea Yemen’s Houthis have captured the strategic Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, tightening their grip around the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route, government and Houthi officials told the Associated Press. The seizure came as Saudi-backed government forces were trying to regroup and respond to the Houthis’ fast-paced advances along Yemen’s western coast. According to two government officials and a Houthi official who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, the Houthis sent fighters to the islands, which are 160 kilometres north of Bab al-Mandeb. The latest advances follow a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi oil installations and shipping in the Red Sea, stoking fears about the world's energy supply and prices.
Yemen’s Houthis have captured the strategic Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, tightening their grip around the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route, government and Houthi officials told the Associated Press.
The seizure came as Saudi-backed government forces were trying to regroup and respond to the Houthis’ fast-paced advances along Yemen’s western coast.
According to two government officials and a Houthi official who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, the Houthis sent fighters to the islands, which are 160 kilometres north of Bab al-Mandeb.
The latest advances follow a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi oil installations and shipping in the Red Sea, stoking fears about the world's energy supply and prices.