Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Houthis seize strategic Red Sea island, consolidate Bab al-Mandab control
Yemen's Houthi movement has taken control of Mayyun Island following the withdrawal of government forces, strengthening its grip over one of the world's most critical shipping passages. The development marks another escalation in the group's assertion of control over key maritime chokepoints in the Red Sea.
LSN Malaysia ·
Armed Houthi fighters landed on Mayyun Island on Thursday after government forces stationed there withdrew, according to regional sources tracking developments in the Red Sea. The island, located in the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, serves as a crucial vantage point for controlling maritime traffic between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The capture represents a significant consolidation of Houthi territorial holdings in the region, which sits along one of the world's busiest shipping lanes connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The strait has become increasingly contested as the Iran-backed militant group has expanded its military capabilities and assertiveness in controlling the waterway.
The withdrawal of government forces from Mayyun Island suggests a shift in the balance of military control in the area, where competing factions have vied for dominance. The move underscores the challenges facing internationally-recognised Yemeni authorities in maintaining territorial control against better-organised Houthi forces.
The Red Sea remains a focal point of regional tensions, with implications for global shipping routes and international commerce. The Houthis' expanding control of key islands and coastal positions has raised concerns among maritime authorities and trading nations dependent on stable passage through the critical waterway.