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    Houthis Gain Control of Yemen's Red Sea Coastline and Shut Down Saudi Oil Pipeline

    Section editor: ·Low31 articles covering this·16 news sources·Updated 3 hours ago·MENA
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    Map showing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and its significance to global oil supply routes.

    Here's what it means for you.

    Rising oil prices and disrupted shipping routes could impact your business costs and supply chains.

    What happened

    On September 11, 2026, Houthi forces captured key positions along Yemen's Red Sea coastline, shutting down Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline.

    The Context

    • Escalating conflict: The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war with Saudi-backed forces since 2014, intensifying amid the U.S.-Iran tensions that began in February 2026.
    • Strategic location: The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a crucial shipping lane for global trade, linking Europe and Asia, making control over it significant for energy supplies.
    • Economic implications: Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has rerouted its oil exports due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, increasing reliance on the Red Sea route.

    The Number

    4-5 million barrels per day

    — This volume of Saudi crude transported via the East-West pipeline represents a significant portion of global supply, now at risk due to the conflict.

    Takeaway

    Expect continued volatility in oil prices and potential disruptions in global trade as the situation evolves.

    31 Articles
    Al-Monitor

    Saudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping

    Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack attributed to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region. This closure comes amidst heightened ten...

    Al Jazeera

    Iran war live: Houthis control Red Sea coast, Saudi pipeline shut down

    Houthi forces have seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast, leading to the shutdown of a crucial Saudi oil pipeline following a series of drone attacks. This escalation marks a significant advancement for the Iran-backed group, intensifying the ongoi...

    Al Jazeera

    Iran war live: Houthis control Red Sea coast, Saudi pipeline shut down

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    The Hill

    Proxy fight in Yemen heats up, risking new front in US-Iran war

    The Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group's reported takeover of a port city in Yemen has escalated tensions in the region, prompting Saudi Arabia to urge the U.S. to take military action against the rebels. The U.S. has responded by deploying over 100 a...

    BBC News

    Houthis claim major advance in Yemen and tighten grip on Red Sea shipping lane

    The Iran-backed Houthi forces have claimed a significant military advance in Yemen, reportedly seizing the strategic island of Perim and the port city of Mocha, which are critical for controlling shipping routes in the Red Sea. This escalation marks ...

    Financial Times

    Houthis seize Red Sea islands in lightning offensive

    In a rapid military offensive, Yemen's Houthi rebels have seized control of several islands in the Red Sea, solidifying their dominance over a crucial shipping route. This move comes amid escalating tensions with Saudi-backed forces and follows the H...

    The New York Times

    Saudi Oil Exports Face Heightened Threats After Attacks on Pipeline

    Recent attacks by Houthi militias on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea have heightened risks for shipping operators in the region, which is a crucial alternative route for Persian Gulf oil exports. The Houthis have declared a blockade, asserting contr...

    10 hours ago
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    France 24

    Iran-backed Houthis seize near control of vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane

    Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This swift military advance marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conf...

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    France 24 Middle East

    Iran-backed Houthis seize near control of vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane

    Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This swift military advance marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conf...

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    BBC News

    Lightning Houthi advance in Yemen may bring dangerous new dimension to Iran war

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have made significant military advances by seizing the strategic port city of Mocha, marking a notable escalation in their ongoing conflict with Saudi-backed government forces. This takeover enhances the Houthis' con...

    11 hours ago
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    Al Jazeera

    Houthi advance in Yemen is about more than just the Red Sea

    The Houthi rebels in Yemen have made significant military advances, consolidating their control over key areas, including the strategic port city of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which are vital for shipping routes in the Red Sea. This escalati...

    11 hours ago
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    Al Jazeera

    Houthi advance in Yemen is about more than just the Red Sea

    The Houthi rebels in Yemen have made significant military advances, consolidating their control over key areas, including the strategic port city of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which are vital for shipping routes in the Red Sea. This escalati...

    11 hours ago
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    The Wall Street Journal

    Iran-Backed Houthis Take Effective Control of Key Red Sea Chokepoint

    Iran-backed Houthi forces have effectively taken control of the strategic island of Perim and the coastal town of Mocha, tightening their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime route for global shipping and oil transport. This military ...

    12 hours ago
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    The Washington Times

    Iran-backed Houthis grab more territory on Yemen's western coast

    Houthi rebel forces in Yemen have successfully expanded their control along the western coastline, concluding a week of intense fighting against Saudi coalition forces. This territorial gain underscores the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where the Iran-b...

    13 hours ago
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    Al-Monitor

    Houthis advance along Yemeni coast, threaten Saudi oil exports in the Red Sea

    The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have seized control of Yemen's strategic port city of Mocha, marking a significant escalation in their military operations along the Red Sea coast. This advance threatens Saudi oil exports and follows a series of violen...

    14 hours ago
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    Al-Monitor

    Iranian arms and advice helped Yemen's Houthis seize key Red Sea city, sources say

    The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic port city of Mocha on Yemen's Red Sea coast, bolstered by direct support from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. This military advance is part of a broader offensive against Saudi-backed government...

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    BBC News

    How global trade and oil prices could be hit by Houthi advance

    Yemen's Houthi rebels have advanced towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime route for global trade and oil shipping, raising concerns over potential disruptions. This escalation follows their recent military offensives and the seizure o...

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    The Guardian

    Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

    Yemen's Houthi forces have captured the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial maritime route for global oil shipping, following recent military offensives that included the seizure of the port city of Mocha. This developmen...

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    The Guardian

    The rapid Houthi advance in Yemen: why it matters and what’s at stake

    The Houthi forces have rapidly advanced along Yemen's Red Sea coast, seizing control of the strategic port city of Mocha and intensifying their military offensive against the Saudi-backed government. This escalation has resulted in over 1,000 casualt...

    15 hours ago
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    NBC News

    Strikes shut down key Saudi pipeline as Iran-backed Houthis tighten grip on crucial shipping lane

    Houthi rebels have intensified their control over Yemen's Red Sea coastline, effectively shutting down a key Saudi pipeline and threatening one of the world's most vital shipping routes. This escalation marks a significant advancement for the Iran-ba...

    19 hours ago
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    NBC News

    Strikes shut down key Saudi pipeline as Iran-backed Houthis tighten grip on crucial shipping lane

    Houthi rebels have intensified their control over Yemen's Red Sea coastline, effectively shutting down a key Saudi pipeline and threatening one of the world's most vital shipping routes. This escalation marks a significant advancement for the Iran-ba...

    19 hours ago
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    The Arabian Post

    Houthis seize key positions around Bab al-Mandab strait

    The Houthi rebels have intensified their military operations, seizing key positions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime route. This escalation follows their recent capture of the strategic port city of Mocha and Perim Island, further...

    20 hours ago
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    The National

    Houthis seize Yemen's entire western coast and vital Red Sea islands

    The Houthi rebels have seized control of Yemen's entire western coast and key Red Sea islands, marking a significant escalation in their military operations. This takeover follows a series of violent clashes that have resulted in over 120 fatalities,...

    21 hours ago
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    NPR

    Why gains by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen could push gas prices even higher

    The Iran-backed Houthi forces have made significant advances along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the seizure of the strategic port city of Mocha, which is critical for maritime shipping routes. This escalation has included attacks on Saudi Arabia'...

    NPR

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize a strategic port and island, opening a new battlefront

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic port city of Mokha in Yemen, a critical location for controlling shipping routes through the Red Sea, as confirmed by Houthi and Yemeni officials. This takeover is approximately 50 miles from the Ba...

    France 24 Middle East

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha, intensifying their offensive against Saudi-backed government forces. This development follows a series of attacks by the Houthis on Saudi territory, which resulte...

    France 24

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha, intensifying their offensive against Saudi-backed government forces. This development follows a series of attacks by the Houthis on Saudi territory, which resulte...

    France 24

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels take strategic port city in Yemen, raising threat to Red Sea shipping

    The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has seized the strategic port city of Mokha in Yemen, a critical area for controlling shipping routes through the Red Sea, as confirmed by Houthi and Yemeni officials. This takeover is approximately 80 kilometers fr...

    France 24 Middle East

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels take strategic port city in Yemen, raising threat to Red Sea shipping

    The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has seized the strategic port city of Mokha in Yemen, a critical area for controlling shipping routes through the Red Sea, as confirmed by Houthi and Yemeni officials. This takeover is approximately 80 kilometers fr...

    International Business Times

    Iran-Backed Houthis Take a Key Port City In Yemen. Traffic Through The Red Sea Could Be Threatened Further.

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured a key port city in Yemen, escalating tensions in the region and leading to a rise in oil prices. This development comes amid ongoing threats from the Houthis to close critical maritime routes, including the Bab...

    BBC News

    Yemen's Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha

    The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have reportedly seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha, a significant development that could enhance their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial shipping route. This takeover follows a series of intensifie...

    The Wall Street Journal

    Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis Sweep Toward Strategic Bab al-Mandeb

    Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured the strategic port city of Mokha, marking a significant escalation in their military offensive against Saudi-backed government forces. This takeover enhances their control over a crucial maritime route ...

    The National

    Oil prices hit $105 per barrel as Houthis seize key Red Sea port

    Oil prices have surged to $105 per barrel following the Houthi seizure of Mokha port on Yemen's Red Sea coast, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. This takeover is part of a broader pattern o...

    The Guardian

    Houthis seize key Yemeni port of Mocha in drive to take control of Red Sea coast

    Houthi forces in Yemen have seized control of the strategic port city of Mocha, marking a significant escalation in their military offensive against the Saudi-backed government. This takeover is part of a broader effort by the Iran-aligned group to d...

    The National

    Houthis seize Yemen's Mokha port on the Red Sea as attacks on Saudi Arabia escalate

    The Houthis have seized Mokha port on Yemen's Red Sea coast, marking a significant escalation in their military operations against Saudi Arabia. This takeover follows a series of violent clashes that have resulted in over 120 fatalities, highlighting...

    Saudi Gazette

    Houthis reportedly capture strategic Red Sea city of Mocha

    The Houthi militia has reportedly captured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha, intensifying the ongoing conflict in Yemen. This development comes amid accusations from Yemen's internationally recognized government that the Houthis are responsib...

    Al-Monitor

    How Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Yemen's Houthis without provoking Iran

    Saudi Arabia is intensifying its efforts to manage the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi rebels while simultaneously avoiding escalation with Iran, as recent attacks have jeopardized Saudi energy exports through the Red Sea. The Houthis have launched si...