Conflict in Yemen between the Houthis--officially known as Ansar Allah, and Saudi-backed government forces has entered a new phase along the western coast, with clashes moving toward the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route in the region.
Houthis announced Friday that they had taken control of six districts in the western provinces of Taiz and Al-Hudaydah, covering about 5,400 square kilometers, in an operation that began on Sept. 3.
The group also said commercial ships would not be targeted, with the exception of Saudi vessels.
"There are no implications for the security and safety of navigation in the Red Sea, and there is no reason for concern in this regard. We assure everyone that there is no cause for concern about maritime security. Navigation is safe and stable, operating normally and smoothly, and there are no intentions in this regard," said Hizam al-Asad, a member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah (Houthis).
Yemeni government sources said that Houthis has also taken control of the Mayun Island, also known as Perim, in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
In response, forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government, with backing from Saudi Arabia, launched a military operation described as a "kill zone". The operation designates areas along the western coast, including Al Mokha and Dhu Bab, as zones for intensive military strikes.
"The Israeli enemy is trying today, in various ways, to strengthen its presence near the Bab Al-Mandab Strait by building relations with Somaliland. It has also made significant moves and visits to Al Mokha and other areas. However, recent developments have weakened this strategy and undermined the plans and arrangements Israel had built," said Rashad Al-Wutairi, a military expert.
The escalation is now extending beyond Yemen's front lines, with fighting reaching areas that overlook the southern entrance to the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.
The developments are also raising concerns beyond Yemen. Egyptian government has formed a crisis cell, a high-level committee tasked with monitoring the situation along Yemen's western coast. Egyptian government is concerned that any disruption to shipping through the Red Sea could have a direct impact on traffic through the Suez Canal, a vital artery for global maritime trade.
Yemen conflict enters new phase as clashes move toward Bab Al-Mandab Strait
