Saudi‑backed Yemeni troops announced Monday that they have retaken the coastal Bab al‑Mandeb towns of Dhubab, Bab and Hadeid north of the strait. The towns sit on the Red Sea side of the chokepoint that handles roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments, and their return to government control could reduce the threat of Houthi missile attacks on passing tankers.
The advance was part of a coordinated ground and air campaign launched earlier this week. Yemeni forces loyal to the internationally recognised government moved along the coast while coalition aircraft provided close‑air support, suppressing Houthi positions and allowing troops to enter the three towns with little reported resistance. The Guardian confirmed the towns’ liberation and credited coalition air cover as decisive; the Wall Street Journal noted that the next target is the port city of Mokha, though it did not verify its capture.
Since mid‑2023 the Houthis have held much of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, using ports such as Mokha to launch missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels. Their control has forced shipping firms to reroute ships, wait for naval escorts and pay higher insurance premiums. Re‑establishing government authority in Dhubab, Bab and Hadeid may lower those costs and reduce delays, but the overall security picture remains incomplete until Mokha’s status is confirmed.
For residents of the three towns, the shift brings a mix of relief and new challenges. Local officials say government forces have restored limited electricity and water supplies, yet many families remain displaced after weeks of fighting. Coalition air strikes have hit rebel positions but also caused collateral damage in nearby villages, prompting humanitarian groups to call for stronger civilian protection measures.
Economically, the recaptures open a pathway for the Yemeni government to revive export activity through Mokha, should it be secured. Reopening the port could generate much‑needed revenue for a war‑torn economy and help fund aid distribution, but any such benefits are speculative until control of the city is verified.
The operation underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to keeping the Red Sea open for global trade. While the coalition’s visible air presence demonstrates its role as a security guarantor in the Gulf of Aden, the limited ground footprint and the lack of a clear timetable for taking Mokha suggest that full control of the coastline is still contested.
Coalition air operations are expected to continue as Yemeni troops press toward Mokha. Observers will be watching for an official statement confirming the city’s status, a development that could prompt a reassessment of shipping routes and insurance rates. Until then, the map of control around Bab al‑Mandeb remains a moving target.