Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
The Ansar Allah movement of Yemen, known as the Houthis, has successfully captured Mokha Port and the key islands of Bab al-Mandab in a lightning operation. These developments, which have occurred in recent days, represent a major shift in maritime equations and threats to global navigation freedom.
Seizure of Strategic Chokepoints
Mokha Port, located about eighty kilometers from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, had been under the control of Yemeni government forces since 2017 and served as the command center for the National Resistance Forces led by Tariq Saleh. The capture of this port by the Houthis not only dealt a heavy blow to the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition but also paved the way for the Houthis to advance towards the strait.
After capturing Mokha, the Houthis, in a coordinated operation, took control of Mayyun Island (Perim), which is located in the middle of the strait. This island allows the Houthis to control maritime traffic in the strait. Additionally, the larger and smaller Hanish Islands, which were the last bases of the Yemeni government, fell into the hands of the Houthis without serious resistance.
Legal Challenges and International Threats
The capture of Mokha Port and the Bab al-Mandab Islands has raised serious questions about navigation freedom in this waterway. The Houthis, as a non-state armed group, not only lack the legitimacy to exercise sovereignty over these waterways under international law but have also gained the ability to disrupt navigation freedom. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that "maritime navigation is safe for all companies except Saudi ships," indicating a unilateral maritime blockade by this group.
Yemen's Minister of Interior, Ibrahim Haidan, also warned about Iran's role in these developments, emphasizing that Iran is trying to replicate a militarization model of maritime routes in Bab al-Mandab. Such developments could lead to the establishment of a new sphere of influence for Iran and its allies on both sides of Bab al-Mandab.
Saudi Arabia's response to these seizures has been a mix of initial passivity and limited military response. While Saudi Arabia conducted limited airstrikes against Mokha Airport, these actions have not significantly impacted the current situation. The Houthi seizures and their threats clearly indicate a serious crisis in regional maritime security.
