Yemeni government forces secure control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Quick Look
- Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have seized key positions in the Dhubab area, gaining control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- While the government claims to have cut off Houthi forces, fighting remains ongoing near a military base.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. The Houthis previously captured positions in the area, causing market volatility.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have secured effective control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani has said, though fighting continues with Houthi forces in the area.
The government forces advanced rapidly along the coast with heavy Saudi air support to seize key positions in the Dhubab area on the narrowest point of the strait, a vital oil route whose capture by the Iran-backed Houthis last month sent shock waves through energy markets.
However, while Eryani on Monday said the military had seized Dhubab airstrip, located just inland from the strait, and cut off remaining Houthi forces in the area, another government source said fighting continued at a military base near the strait.
The Houthis earlier denied that government forces had made gains, describing such claims as “completely untrue”.
Open Questions
- Is the Dhubab airstrip fully operational under government control?
- What is the current status of the military base near the strait?
