Houthi forces captured the strategic Red Sea city of Mokha, island of Mayun, and Greater and Lesser Hanish islands on Friday, September 11, 2026, tightening control over the Bab el-Mandeb strait and threatening international maritime navigation.
Rapid Territorial Collapse Along the Western Coast
Control of Yemen’s western coastline shifted dramatically as Houthi forces advanced across multiple strategic flashpoints. Following the capture of the strategic port city of Mokha, Houthi fighters pushed rapidly toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait, seizing the island of Mayun, which splits the vital waterway into two separate navigation channels.
The offensive culminated on Friday when Houthi forces took control of Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, according to a military official within the internationally recognized Yemeni government who spoke to Agence France-Presse.
Everything that was under our control on the western coast has fallen. Military official, Yemeni government, via Agence France-Presse
Houthi forces also secured the coastal city of Dhi Bab. The developments followed the complete Houthi capture of Al-Hodeidah governorate after entering the Hays and Al-Khawkhah areas, alongside advancements across western Taiz governorate.
Government Realignment and International Warnings
Faced with the collapse along the Red Sea shore, government forces withdrew from Mokha during the night, while Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh announced a reorganization of forces along the western coast. This reorganization included establishing a backup command center in coordination with the Saudi-led coalition. Government units also pulled back from Hays, located south of Al-Hodeidah. During a United Nations Security Council meeting, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned that the developments mark a new and more dangerous phase in the ongoing conflict. Grundberg emphasized that Houthi control of Mokha granted them a direct presence at the entrances of one of the world’s most vital straits, raising severe concerns over freedom of navigation. During the same UN Security Council session, Yemen’s ambassador to the United Nations called for international condemnation of the Houthi escalation. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia affirmed its commitment to peace while stressing that it would take necessary measures to deter attacks.
Airstrikes and Regional Diplomatic Maneuvers
Yemeni media outlets, including the Republic channel owned by Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh, reported that airstrikes targeted Houthi gatherings and reinforcements at the Mokha port and airport, as well as the Bab el-Mandeb sector. The Al-Sahil Al-Gharbi news website reported that airstrikes targeted Houthi reinforcements and gatherings in the Bab el-Mandeb region. The Houthi-run Saba news agency claimed that Saudi warplanes carried out two raids on Mokha airport, though Saudi Arabia did not issue an immediate comment. According to reports from Axios, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday to request direct strikes against the Houthi movement, a request that Washington declined as U.S. forces maintained their focus on securing the Strait of Hormuz and countering Iran, while avoiding opening another military front. The Axios report noted that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Thursday evening regarding rising tensions and growing insecurity in the region, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic coordination and cooperation to prevent the escalation of tensions and restore stability. In a statement on Friday, Mohammad Mokhber, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, congratulated the Houthis on what he described as a resounding victory,
according to Agence France-Presse. In a separate statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called for an end to what it termed an illegal and inhumane siege on Yemen and the immediate resumption of talks based on a UN-backed and agreed-upon roadmap. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran was ready to facilitate dialogue, asserting that Yemen’s problems cannot be solved through continued blockades or military alliances.
Implications for Red Sea Security
The collapse along the western coast threatens the stability of the 2022 UN-brokered truce and places international shipping lanes at heightened risk. Because Mokha sits less than 50 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb strait—a critical trade artery linking Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal—the shift in territorial control grants the group advantageous positions to project power over maritime traffic.
