Houthis Seize Hanish Islands and Tighten Grip on Red Sea Shipping

Another choke point changes hands

Houthi forces have seized the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, Yemeni officials said on 14 September, after hundreds of government-allied troops withdrew from the archipelago about 160 kilometers north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The move follows last week's capture of the port city of Mokha and Mayun island inside the strait. Together the positions give the rebels a tighter hold on a route that carries a large share of Europe-Asia shipping.

Why insurers and navies care

Each island taken raises war-risk premiums and forces captains to choose longer Cape routes or accept higher threat. Gulf diplomats are already trying to reopen oil flows after other disruptions in the region.

The ground war did not pause

Clashes toward Marib and Taiz continued as the islands fell. Control at sea and control inland are now the same campaign.