Houthis report 408 commercial ships transited Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Summary
The Iran-backed Houthis announced that 408 commercial ships passed through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait from September 11 to 21, indicating an average of over 40 vessels daily, as reported by their Saba news agency. This statement reinforces claims that navigation in the strategically important waterway is safe, although it explicitly excludes Saudi vessels from this assurance. The announcement follows the Houthis' recent takeover of Yemen’s port city of Mokha on September 10, further solidifying their control along the western Red Sea coastline, which is crucial for maritime traffic in the region.
Analysis
Saba: Saba is the news agency operated by the Houthi group in Yemen and serves as its primary outlet for official statements. It recently reported on commercial vessel traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and on developments following the seizure of Mokha. Houthis: The Houthis are an Iran-backed militant group and political movement based in Yemen that has been involved in the country's civil war. In recent weeks they have conducted offensives along the Red Sea coast, seizing key locations including the port city of Mokha and nearby islands. The group uses its media outlets to issue statements on regional maritime activity and its stance toward specific shipping. Regional Control: The Houthis have expanded their presence along Yemen's western Red Sea coastline in recent offensives. Maritime Navigation: Houthi statements continue to claim that commercial shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is proceeding normally and safely, with exceptions for vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.
Categories
macropolitics
Related sources
- https://africacenter.org/spotlight/2026-houthi-red-sea-threats/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saba_News_Agency
- https://www.britannica.com/question/Why-did-Houthis-attack-Mokha-in-Yemen
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g7vr0lngwo
- https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2026/09/houthis-take-yemens-red-sea-coast-and-key-bab-al-mandeb-islands.php
- https://www.muslimnetwork.tv/saudi-airstrikes-on-port-city-of-mokha-kill-6-houthi-affiliated-news-agency/
- https://bigoceandata.com/red-sea-shipping-houthi-analysis/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/10/yemens-houthis-seize-strategic-red-sea-city-of-mocha
- https://www.rte.ie/news/middle-east/2026/0922/1592449-houthi-saudi-conflict/
- https://www.newsquawk.com/headlines/houthi-leader-says-reeady-for-fair-deal-to-end-the-saudi-conflict-saba-reports
- https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/houthi-rebels-seize-yemen-red-sea-coast-with-iranian-advisers-mokha-falls-in-48-hours-ptag-3000996-2026-09-23
- https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/bab-al-mandab-houthi-aggression-threatens-a-vital-gateway-for-global-trade-1.500682508
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Mokha
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/world/middleeast/yemens-houthis-seize-strategic-red-sea-port-officials-say.html
- https://windward.ai/blog/houthis-take-perim-and-petroline-is-hit-as-freight-rates-soar/