Houthis seize Bab al-Mandab islands, gain leverage over Red Sea shipping

Iran-aligned Houthi forces have captured all four islands in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the entire western Yemeni coast, according to Yemeni government officials. This expands their control over a critical global oil shipping chokepoint, potentially giving Tehran a new bargaining chip alongside the Strait of Hormuz. The claim is sourced from Yemeni officials and not independently verified; the strategic impact on shipping and regional balance is significant.