Houthis seize control of most of Yemen's western Red Sea coast

Iran‑backed Houthi forces announced on Sunday that they have seized control of the majority of the western Red Sea coastline, extending their territorial grip from the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to the border with Saudi Arabia. The advance follows a series of coordinated land and maritime operations launched over the past week, during which Houthi fighters captured several coastal villages and established checkpoints along key shipping routes. The United Nations has confirmed that the area now falls under Houthi administration, although the group has not formally declared a new governance structure for the occupied zones.

The takeover raises concerns for international maritime traffic, as the Red Sea remains a critical conduit for oil and container shipments linking Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Naval forces from the United States, United Kingdom and France have increased patrols in the vicinity, citing the need to safeguard commercial vessels from potential attacks. Regional governments, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have condemned the Houthi expansion and called for a diplomatic resolution, while Iran has reiterated its support for the militia’s actions. The situation is being closely monitored by global shipping insurers and diplomatic channels as the Red Sea’s stability remains pivotal to worldwide trade.