Houthis Seize Bab al-Mandeb Strait as Saudi Pipeline Shuts Down

Iran-backed Houthi forces have taken control of the western Red Sea coast of Yemen. They captured the port of Mocha, the town of Dhubab, Perim Island, and the Hanish and Zuqar islands. This offensive started in the first week of September and places Houthi forces at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, adding to their influence over the Strait of Hormuz. The loss of Perim Island gives the Houthis direct line-of-sight over maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The United Nations and the International Organization for Migration report that 46,000 people fled this week, with local tallies showing over 500 combat deaths. Following drone strikes on Friday against the East-West crude pipeline and pumping stations south of Medina, Saudi Arabia shut down the infrastructure. Earlier Houthi strikes in Jizan, Abha, Najran, and Khamis Mushait caused 73 civilian injuries. Reports from CNN and Reuters point to internal friction in the anti-Houthi coalition, as Yemeni military commanders stated they requested air cover from CENTCOM and Riyadh without success. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper was in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and over 100 US advisers were in the Kingdom to help with targeting. Former President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the Houthis showed no desire to fight the US, and Axios reported that Trump twice declined requests from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for US airstrikes. STC leader Amr Al-Bidh said the shift happened because of a lack of a unified command. Gulf states will meet with Iranian officials in Oman on Monday to talk about a temporary corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.