The Houthi militia in Yemen, backed by Iran, are strengthening their control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following a swift offensive that secured Yemen’s entire western coastline last week, sources familiar with the situation said.

According to a representative aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, the Houthis have been excavating trenches and fortifying positions around the strategically critical maritime chokepoint. Their recent gains include the capture of key islands along the Red Sea coast, allowing the militia nearly unfettered access to the strait that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The Bab al-Mandeb is a vital artery for global trade, facilitating approximately 10% of worldwide maritime shipment and 30% of container traffic, serving as a primary conduit between Europe and Asia. However, since 2023, shipping traffic through the strait has declined markedly due to Houthi attacks on vessels. These attacks form part of the militia's response to Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, prompting many commercial shipping operators to reroute their shipments around the Cape of Good Hope at Africa’s southern tip—a longer and costlier alternative.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s foremost oil exporter, has been adjusting its logistics by redirecting some oil shipments through the Red Sea. This shift is partly driven by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict, limiting Saudi Arabia’s traditional export routes.

The developments come amid Yemen’s protracted civil war in which the Houthi insurgents confront the internationally recognized government and its coalition of allies including Saudi Arabia and various militias. Control over the Bab al-Mandeb is a significant strategic gain for the Houthis, amplifying their regional influence and complicating navigation and security in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.