Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a swift offensive, reclaiming coastal areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including Mocha, from Iran-backed Houthis. Supported by Saudi airstrikes, troops advanced to Mocha’s outskirts as Houthis retreated. The renewed fighting exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, displacing 184,000 people since hostilities reignited.
India and Liberia have established a “Group of Friends” to enhance shipping safety and protect seafarers amid rising threats, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb. This initiative, announced during the 81st UN General Assembly, aims for international cooperation to address increasing attacks on maritime commerce.
A week after the Houthis advanced past the IRG forces, South West Yemen appears stabilized. They’ve seized Perim Island and the Ras Menhali peninsula, yet their control remains tenuous. The Houthis are fortifying positions and establishing local governance, reflecting a strategic takeover amid the IRG’s internal divisions. Maritime traffic continues, but risks loom.
The situation in southwest Yemen is fluid, with the Houthis intensifying their military efforts to seize control of the southern Red Sea coastline. Their advances threaten key shipping routes, particularly around the Bab el Mandeb strait. Meanwhile, the Internationally Recognized Government remains resilient, launching counterattacks to reclaim lost territory.
On Tuesday, 25 commodity vessels navigated the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key maritime passage. This included 11 ships entering and 14 departing, indicating typical traffic. Over the last ten days, average transits were 27, suggesting a slight drop. The strait’s significance in global trade remains paramount.
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz saw a slight increase, with visible commodity vessel transits rising to ten on Wednesday, from eight the day before. This uptick occurs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran, yet remains below the 10-day moving average of fifteen vessels.
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz saw a slight increase, with ten vessels transiting on Wednesday, up from eight. However, this remains below the 10-day moving average of around 15. Amid U.S.-Iran tensions, negotiations continue between Iran and Oman over the waterway’s management and revenue sharing.
For several months, the Houthi movement has been ramping up preparations for renewed conflict with Saudi Arabia in northern Yemen. Despite provocations, Saudi Arabia has largely refrained from offensive actions. Houthi leader AbdulMalik Al Houthi has intensified rhetoric, seeking concessions in stalled negotiations while escalating attacks on shipping and land fronts.
