Yemen forces retake coast near Red Sea strait from Houthis

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 8 Oct, 19:19 · Archive

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have retaken territory along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have retaken the coast around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including the city of Mocha, from Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis had captured Yemen's Perim Island in September, controlling the narrowest point of the strait, which lies roughly 20 kilometres from Djibouti.

The Houthi-controlled area is strategically vital. The strait connects the southern entrance of the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a major shipping route. The Iran-backed Houthis have been firing on merchant ships since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. If the strait became impassable, shipping companies would need to make costly detours via the Suez Canal or around Africa's southern tip, costs that would be passed to consumers.

The conflict has created an immediate humanitarian emergency in neighbouring Djibouti. According to the UN refugee agency, at least 3,700 refugees have crossed from Yemen into Djibouti since 10 September, mostly women, children and older people. The UNHCR is preparing to assist another 10,000 people expected to arrive. The Obock region, where many refugees have arrived, faces severe water shortages.

How it is being reported

• Yemeni government forces retake coast along Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed HouthisSaudi-backed Yemeni government forces retook the coast around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait up to the city of Mocha, pushing the Iran-backed Houthis out of the areas they seized last month.New York Post · 8 Oct, 18:56
• How the Houthi conflict is affecting countries along Africa's Red Sea coast — and beyondThe latest escalation in the Middle East is taking place just a few kilometers off the coast of Africa, at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Djibouti and its neighbors are particularly exposed.DW News · 8 Oct, 17:11
• How the Houthi conflict is affecting countries on Africa's Red Sea coast — and beyondBab el-Mandeb Strait, which Yemeni government forces are trying to take back from the Houthis, is located not far from Djibouti and other states on Africa's Red Sea coast.DW News · 8 Oct, 17:11
• How the Houthi-Saudi conflict is affecting countries on Africa's Red Sea coast — and beyondBab el-Mandeb Strait, which Yemeni government forces are trying to take back from the Houthis, is located not far from Djibouti and other African states.DW News · 8 Oct, 17:11

In this story: Houthis · Yemen · Djibouti · Saudi Arabia · Bab el-Mandeb Strait · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem