Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding Red Sea control

Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding Red Sea control

Reuters reported that on 17 September the Iran-backed Houthi movement seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding its capacity to disrupt Red Sea shipping and to target Saudi oil facilities. The seizure follows a series of advances that began in mid-September, when CNN said the Houthis were moving toward Perim Island. NBC News and Fox News later confirmed that the rebels captured Perim Island and the port city of Mocha. Euronews and DW reported that the group also took the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, widening its grip on the Bab al-Mandeb corridor.

The Guardian noted that U. S. officials met Houthi representatives in Oman and ruled out direct military assistance to Saudi Arabia, while Al Jazeera said Washington reaffirmed support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government as fighting intensified.

Actors

Houthis Yemen's internationally recognised government Tarik Saleh Iran Saudi Arabia United Nations United States Yemen's UN-backed government forces Houthi movement Yazeed al-Jeddawy Fuad Mussed Saddam al-Huraibi Khaled Ghorab

Locations

Perim Island Bab al-Mandab Strait Red Sea Gulf of Aden Mocha, Yemen Yemen Saudi Arabia Iran United States
Verdict: Partial Confidence: 64% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that intense fighting on September 10, 2026, across Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, Dhalea, and the western coast resulted in at least 194 deaths has insufficient evidence. The claim that on September 17, 2026, the Houthis relied on Iranian support for weapons and training is partially confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 17, 2026
3 total
Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding regional military reach
Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding regional military reach

Reuters • 17 Sep 23:23

Yemen's Houthi movement has taken control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, enhancing its ability to disrupt Red Sea shipping and target Saudi oil facilities, while relying on Iranian support for weapons and training.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Saudi Arabia faces mounting setbacks in Yemen as Houthi forces advance
Saudi Arabia faces mounting setbacks in Yemen as Houthi forces advance

Responsible Statecraft • 17 Sep 04:09

Recent Houthi gains on Yemen's west coast and toward Marib have exposed weaknesses in the Saudi-led coalition, while regional tensions and limited external support compound Riyadh's challenges.

Credibility 71% Manip. 27% Center
US backs Yemen's recognized government as Saudi Arabia seeks missile-defence aid amid heightened fighting
US backs Yemen's recognized government as Saudi Arabia seeks missile-defence aid amid heightened fighting

Al Jazeera • 17 Sep 03:52

The United States reaffirmed support for Yemen's internationally recognised government while Saudi Arabia asked allies for air-defence assistance, as clashes between coalition forces and Houthi rebels intensified.

Credibility 70% Manip. 10% Center
September 16, 2026
1 total
U.S. Declines Military Support for Saudi Arabia After Talks with Houthi Leaders in Oman
U.S. Declines Military Support for Saudi Arabia After Talks with Houthi Leaders in Oman

The Guardian • 16 Sep 17:53

U.S. officials met Houthi representatives in Muscat and received assurances that the group would not target international shipping, leading Washington to rule out direct military assistance to Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

Credibility 45% Manip. 55% Center
September 14, 2026
2 total
Houthis seize Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands, tightening Red Sea blockade
Houthis seize Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands, tightening Red Sea blockade

dw.com • 14 Sep 16:08

Iran-backed Houthi forces captured the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, expanding their control over a key maritime route and intensifying pressure on Saudi oil shipments.

Credibility 66% Manip. 48% Center
Houthis seize Hanish islands, extending grip on Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Houthis seize Hanish islands, extending grip on Bab al-Mandeb Strait

Euronews.com • 14 Sep 11:00

The Iran-aligned Houthi movement captured the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the Red Sea after Yemeni government forces withdrew, widening its control over the strategic Bab al-Mandeb shipping lane.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 13, 2026
2 total
Houthi forces capture Red Sea island, former Pentagon official warns of U.S. response
Houthi forces capture Red Sea island, former Pentagon official warns of U.S. response

Fox News • 13 Sep 22:52

Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prompting a former Pentagon press secretary to say the militants are in a vulnerable "kill box" that could be targeted by U.S. forces.

Credibility 72% Manip. 48% Center
Houthi control of Red Sea coast pressures Gulf states to reconsider ties with Iran
Houthi control of Red Sea coast pressures Gulf states to reconsider ties with Iran

Reuters • 13 Sep 22:51

The Houthis' seizure of strategic islands near Bab el-Mandeb gives Iran greater leverage over Gulf oil routes, forcing Saudi Arabia and its neighbours to weigh higher economic costs against diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 12, 2026
2 total
Houthi forces seize Red Sea island, prompting Saudi pipeline shutdown
Houthi forces seize Red Sea island, prompting Saudi pipeline shutdown

NPR • 12 Sep 05:57

Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured the Mayun island at the Red Sea entrance, raising concerns for Saudi oil shipments, while Saudi Arabia halted a major oil pipeline following recent attacks.

Credibility 71% Manip. 12% Center
Houthis seize Mocha and Perim Island as Saudi air support fails to materialize
Houthis seize Mocha and Perim Island as Saudi air support fails to materialize

CNN • 12 Sep 04:00

Iran-backed Houthi forces captured the Yemeni port of Mocha and the strategic Perim Island, while Saudi Arabia did not provide the expected air assistance, prompting criticism of coordination among the anti-Houthi coalition.

Credibility 68% Manip. 30% Center
September 11, 2026
5 total
Houthi Forces Capture Key Red Sea Island, Raising Concerns Over Oil Shipping
Houthi Forces Capture Key Red Sea Island, Raising Concerns Over Oil Shipping

mediaite.com • 11 Sep 17:20

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Yemeni port city of Mocha, prompting U.S. officials to send advisors to Saudi Arabia amid fears of disrupted oil flows and higher energy prices.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Houthis seize Perim Island as Saudi Arabia urges US military response
Houthis seize Perim Island as Saudi Arabia urges US military response

Fox News • 11 Sep 17:08

Iran-backed Houthi forces captured the strategic Perim Island and coastal town of Dhubab in Yemen’s Bab al-Mandab Strait, prompting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to call on President Trump for possible military action.

Credibility 71% Manip. 46% Right
Houthis seize Perim Island, tightening grip on Bab al-Mandab strait
Houthis seize Perim Island, tightening grip on Bab al-Mandab strait

The Guardian • 11 Sep 15:15

Iran-aligned Houthi forces captured the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait, expanding their control over a key Red Sea shipping lane and prompting Saudi-led air strikes and an international naval coalition.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Center
Houthis seize key island and coastal towns on Red Sea route
Houthis seize key island and coastal towns on Red Sea route

NBC News • 11 Sep 13:46

Houthi forces captured the island of Perim and the port city of Mocha, extending their control over Yemen's Red Sea coastline and raising concerns about shipping security in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
Houthi forces capture Yemen's Mokha port, raising Red Sea shipping concerns
Houthi forces capture Yemen's Mokha port, raising Red Sea shipping concerns

NPR • 11 Sep 05:40

Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha, prompting UN warnings and fears of increased threats to maritime traffic near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 10, 2026
2 total
Yemen's government forces and Houthis clash on multiple strategic fronts
Yemen's government forces and Houthis clash on multiple strategic fronts

Al Jazeera • 10 Sep 09:10

Intense fighting across Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, Dhalea and the western coast has killed at least 194 people, as both sides vie for control of key terrain and shipping routes.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center
Houthis advance toward Perim Island, threatening Bab al-Mandab shipping lane
Houthis advance toward Perim Island, threatening Bab al-Mandab shipping lane

CNN • 10 Sep 04:01

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels are pushing to seize Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a move that could disrupt Red Sea oil shipments and draw a larger international response.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center