Houthi rebel forces in Yemen completed a rapid sweep of Yemen’s western coastline on Friday, capping off a week of fighting for the Iran-backed group as it grapples with Saudi coalition forces for control of the country.
Reports indicated that Houthi forces took Dhubab, which holds an important position overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on the southern end of the Red Sea.
Houthi fighters also reportedly captured Perim Island, near Dhubab, and Zuqar Island. Both had been occupied by government-aligned National Resistance Forces.
The territorial acquisition gives the Houthis dominance over the strait, one of the world’s most valuable waterways, while Iran tries to block the Strait of Hormuz near the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
The victories capped off a week of fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed forces of the internationally recognized government.
On Thursday, the Yemeni military said the Houthis seized the Red Sea port city of Mokha after a day of clashes with government forces.
International aid agencies have placed the total death count from recent fighting at 500. The fighting has also displaced over 46,000 people in recent weeks, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Houthis’ control over Yemen’s western coastline will likely make it easier for the rebels to target international commerce in the strait and provide more territory from which to launch long-range strikes into Saudi Arabia.
In July, the rebel group announced a blockade on Saudi ships trying to transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Then the terrorists claimed they launched missile and drone strikes at several vessels.
The Houthis have also begun targeting Saudi energy infrastructure. Earlier this week, the rebels struck four cities in the southern part of the country housing some of the kingdom’s most important refineries and energy facilities.
Fires broke out at several facilities, forcing Saudi operators to temporarily pause operations.
Reports on Friday also indicated that Saudi Arabia’s East-West Crude Oil Pipeline route was struck overnight. Satellite imagery shows black clouds hanging over the pipeline’s path.
However, as of Friday afternoon, there is still no independent verification that the pipeline was hit, and Aramco has not confirmed any damage. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack.
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