Yemen

​ In a move that throws the Middle East into further turmoil, Yemen's Houthi movement are now in control of the entire western coast of Yemen and the strategic island of Perim, effectively giving them unmatched control over the Bab Al Mandeb strait, the Red Sea's key entry and exit point, Yemeni officials told Abu Dhabi's leading English-language newspaper, The National. "They took it all," one Yemeni security official said. "All of the west has fallen, and Perim Island too. They have everything now," he added. A second security official confirmed the details and said the Iran-backed Houthis had also taken control of Zuqar, another strategic Red Sea island. After taking control of Mokha on Thursday, the Houthis continued their offensive southwards and seized Dhubab, the last major town on Yemen's western coast and one that directly overlooks the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and Perim Island, also known as Mayyun. ​​ Yemen's Houthi rebels are now in control of the entire western coast of Yemen and the strategic island of Perim, effectively giving them unmatched control over the Bab Al Mandeb strait, the Red Sea's key entry and exit point, Yemeni officials told The National. "They took it all," one Yemeni security official said. "All of the west has fallen, and Perim Island too. They have everything now," he added. A second security official confirmed the details and said the Iran-backed Houthis had also taken control of Zuqar, another strategic Red Sea island. After taking control of Mokha on Thursday, the Houthis continued their offensive southwards and seized Dhubab, the last major town on Yemen's western coast and one that directly overlooks the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and Perim Island, also known as Mayyun. Yemen's Houthi rebels are now in control of the entire western coast of Yemen and the strategic island of Perim, effectively giving them unmatched control over the Bab Al Mandeb strait, the Red Sea's key entry and exit point, Yemeni officials told The National. "They took it all," one Yemeni security official said. "All of the west has fallen, and Perim Island too. They have everything now," he added. A second security official confirmed the details and said the Iran-backed Houthis had also taken control of Zuqar, another strategic Red Sea island. After taking control of Mokha on Thursday, the Houthis continued their offensive southwards and seized Dhubab, the last major town on Yemen's western coast and one that directly overlooks the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and Perim Island, also known as Mayyun. ​

Iran-backed Houthi militants have seized the strategic port city of Mokha on Yemen’s western coast after days of fighting with pro-government forces, further expanding their control along the Red Sea and near the Bab Al Mandeb shipping route. “Resistance groups have left Mokha and are now deployed south of the city,” a Yemeni official told The National, referring to pro-government forces. In a statement, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Vice Chairman Tareq Saleh said government forces, including the National Resistance, Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield forces, as well as units from Taiz, had suffered deaths and injuries during several days of Houthi attacks. “We ordered the formation of an alternative command centre in a safe location to regroup the forces in consultation with the Arab coalition command and the Presidential Leadership Council,” he said. Yemeni government sources also confirmed the loss of Mokha to Reuters. Mokha, about 150km south of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah, has been a major base for government forces operating along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and seeking to push the rebels out of their positions. The capture marks a significant advantage for the Houthis, giving them control of another strategically important point on Yemen’s western coastline overlooking one of the world’s most important shipping corridors. It comes amid intensifying clashes between the rebels and government forces across several parts of Yemen, while the Houthis have also escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia and shipping in the Red Sea in support of Iran. (click image to read more).