Houthi Rebels Seize Full Control of Yemen's Red Sea Coast
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have taken control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, moving closer to dominating the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, amid escalating tensions across the Middle East region.
A Yemeni government official said on Friday that Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have seized control of the country's entire Red Sea coast. The advance brings the rebels closer to near-total control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital corridor for global shipping and energy supplies.
Saudi Response and Pipeline Closure
Saudi authorities issued brief alerts a day earlier warning of potential danger in two areas near the Yemeni border, after the Houthis claimed that Riyadh had carried out dozens of air strikes on Yemen. Amid the escalating standoff, Saudi Arabia also shut down its East-West oil pipeline following multiple Houthi attacks.
Tensions Also Rise in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz
In southern Lebanon, the US Geological Survey recorded a 4.1-magnitude earthquake after the Israeli military announced it had blown up tunnels belonging to Hezbollah. Separately, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday that its navy had targeted a US unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The developments point to mounting instability across a region where several conflicts are unfolding in parallel — in Yemen, Lebanon and the Gulf — with implications for regional security as well as global shipping routes and energy supplies.