Yemen Forces Expel Iran-Backed Houthis from Bab-el-Mandeb Strait Area

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces carried out a swift operation on Monday to retake coastal territory around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait near the town of Mocha, successfully pushing Iran-backed Houthi forces out of most of the areas they had captured the previous month, according to Reuters.

Strategic Strait Retaken

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Control of the surrounding territory has significant implications for global shipping routes.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, had seized portions of the coastal area last month. The rapid counter-offensive by Yemeni government forces reversed these gains. The Yemen conflict has been ongoing for years, with Saudi Arabia leading a coalition supporting the internationally recognized government against the Houthis.