Houthi Rebels Expand Control in Red Sea, Threatening Key Shipping Routes
By Editor • September 14, 2026 • 1 min read
In a significant escalation of their military campaign, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have captured two vital islands in the southern Red Sea, further tightening their grip on critical maritime shipping lanes. This move, confirmed by both Houthi officials and Yemeni government sources on September 14, 2026, marks another step in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged Yemen.
The islands, known as Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish, are strategically located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis’ takeover of these islands was facilitated by the withdrawal of hundreds of government-allied forces, who left the archipelago amid rising tensions.
The recent island captures follow the Houthis’ seizure of the port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, both located within the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, just days prior. This chain of events has sparked intense military engagements, with Yemeni government forces launching counterattacks against the Iran-backed rebels, while the Houthis have retaliated by targeting Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government.
Source: www.thehindu.com
