Houthi rebels have seized Yemen’s west coast and strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Houthi rebels have taken control of Yemen’s entire western coast and occupied several strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in an offensive launched last week. The advance threatens an essential maritime route for trade between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal.

After capturing the port city of Mokha and Zugar Island, Houthi fighters took control on Friday of the Perim Islands, also known as Mayyoun, and Hanich. A local official stated that all government-held positions along the coast had fallen. Witnesses reported that armed men had been deployed along the strait aboard military vehicles.

Saudi Arabia bombed Mokha airport in an attempt to halt the offensive. The rebels, backed by Iran, said that navigation remains safe for all ships except Saudi vessels, which they have barred from entering.

Control of the strait could affect oil transport and force ships to circumnavigate Africa. The fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced approximately 46,000 people, according to the IOM. Yemen remains divided between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthi rebels, who already control the capital Sana’a and vast territories in the north and west.