Houthi Seizure of Yemen Coast Threatens Global Oil Routes

Houthi forces have captured the entire Yemeni Red Sea coastline, including the strategic port city of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, dramatically escalating the conflict with Saudi Arabia and threatening a key global oil artery. The Iran-backed group's rapid advance, which began this week, has pushed Yemen deeper into the wider Middle East war and sent oil prices soaring above $107 a barrel Source: dwnews, aljazeera, CNN.

What happened

• Houthi fighters seized Mocha on Thursday and by Friday had taken Dhubab and Perim Island, giving them control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait Source: dwnews, aljazeera.
• The Houthis launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at four Saudi cities, wounding 73 people and setting oil facilities ablaze Source: aljazeera. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes across four Yemeni provinces Source: dwnews.
• The offensive is the most significant regional development since the US-Israel war on Iran began in February, analysts say Source: aljazeera.

Global economic impact

• Brent crude rose more than 7% to $108 a barrel on Thursday, its highest since May, as the Houthi gains threatened both of Saudi Arabia's main export routes Source: CNN.
• Saudi crude flows through Bab al-Mandeb "collapsed" to about 400,000 barrels per day in August and are now even lower, according to Energy Aspects Source: CNN.
• The strait has become a vital alternative since Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz; about 12% of global trade passes through daily Source: aljazeera.

Diplomatic maneuvering

Pakistan's military chief held phone calls with both Iran and Saudi Arabia this week, as Islamabad faces pressure to honor its defense pact with Riyadh while keeping diplomatic channels open to Tehran Source: aljazeera. Pakistan's foreign office declined to confirm reports of passing a Saudi warning to Iran, but did not deny reaching out to the Houthis through Iran Source: aljazeera.

Disagreements among sources

While dwnews reports the Houthis have "seized" the territory, aljazeera notes there has been "no official announcement by Houthi authorities confirming control of the strait." CNN cites Yemeni government sources for the capture of Perim Island, while dwnews attributes the information to "Yemeni government sources told the news agency Reuters."