Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to Yemeni government and Houthi officials. The development comes as Saudi-backed government forces attempt to regroup following rapid Houthi advances in the area. The latest territorial gains could increase the rebels’ ability to exert pressure on one of the world’s most important maritime routes, particularly as tensions continue to disrupt shipping across the region. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a key passage for commercial vessels travelling between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. The seizure of the islands therefore adds another strategic element to the wider conflict and raises concerns over the security of shipping in waters already affected by regional hostilities.

The capture of the Hanish islands took place after Saudi-backed government forces sought to rally over the weekend and push back against the Houthis’ recent advances around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to officials, hundreds of government-allied forces withdrew from the archipelago before Houthi fighters moved onto the islands. Two Yemeni government officials and a Houthi official confirmed the development, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss military developments with journalists. The Hanish islands are located about 160 kilometres, or roughly 100 miles, north of Bab el-Mandeb. Their location gives them strategic significance because of their proximity to a major maritime corridor used by international shipping. Control of the islands could provide the Houthis with an additional position from which to monitor or threaten activity in the surrounding waters.

The latest Houthi gains also have implications beyond Yemen’s ongoing conflict because of their potential impact on Saudi oil shipments. Saudi Arabia has used routes through the Red Sea as an alternative for transporting crude oil when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption. The Strait of Hormuz is another critical energy corridor, and tensions involving Iran have already affected shipping there. With the Houthis strengthening their presence around the southern Red Sea, vessels carrying Saudi crude could face additional risks along an alternative route. This creates a difficult situation for energy exporters and shipping operators, as disruptions in one major maritime corridor can increase dependence on other routes that may themselves become vulnerable to attacks or political instability.

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The escalation comes amid broader regional tensions and increasing concerns over energy infrastructure and maritime security. Houthi attacks targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea have already added pressure to a region where several strategic waterways are facing security threats. Any further disruption to the movement of crude oil could affect global supplies and contribute to volatility in international oil markets. The Red Sea is particularly important because it provides a maritime connection between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, making it an important route for both energy shipments and other commercial cargo. Increased insecurity in the area can force vessels to reconsider their routes, potentially increasing travel times and transportation costs while adding pressure to already sensitive energy markets.

For Saudi Arabia, the developments around the Hanish islands represent another challenge as it seeks to protect its interests in the region and maintain secure routes for its oil exports. The Houthis’ growing ability to operate around the Bab el-Mandeb gives the group greater strategic importance in any confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United States. Their actions can also affect countries and companies that rely on the Red Sea for international trade, even when those actors are not directly involved in the Yemen conflict. The possibility of attacks or threats against commercial vessels can have consequences far beyond the immediate area, particularly when alternative shipping routes are limited or more expensive.

The capture of Greater and Lesser Hanish therefore marks a significant development in the Houthis’ recent advances around the southern Red Sea. By establishing a presence on the islands after government-allied forces withdrew, the rebels have strengthened their position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and potentially expanded their ability to threaten maritime traffic. The development comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with shipping already facing risks around both the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. For global energy markets, the concern is that continued attacks on oil infrastructure or shipping could further restrict the movement of crude and increase prices. The latest Houthi gains could consequently give Iran and its allies additional leverage amid the wider regional conflict, while increasing pressure on governments and shipping operators seeking to keep vital maritime routes open.

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