AP said Sept. 11, 2026, that Houthi forces seized Mokha on Yemen's Red Sea coast.
Why it matters: The advance puts more pressure on Bab al-Mandeb, a chokepoint for global trade and energy transport. Any disruption can raise freight and insurance costs and force rerouting for shippers and import-heavy businesses.
- AP, Al Jazeera and Reuters-distributed reporting said Houthi forces advanced along Yemen's Red Sea coast on Sept. 10-11, 2026.
- AP said the Houthis seized Mokha and were moving toward Dhubab, Mayyun/Perim Island and Bab al-Mandeb.
- AP reported shipping through Bab al-Mandeb was down about 60% since late 2023 Houthi attacks.
- AP said about 12% of the world's goods typically pass through Bab al-Mandeb.
AP said on Sept. 11, 2026, that Houthi forces seized Mokha and were pushing along Yemen's Red Sea coast toward Dhubab, Mayyun/Perim Island and Bab al-Mandeb. Al Jazeera separately reported that the rebels had taken the last towns on the coast in a rapid advance against Yemen's internationally recognized government.
Bab al-Mandeb is the narrow southern entrance to the Red Sea and a route toward the Suez Canal. The International Maritime Organization says the corridor is one of the world's most critical maritime routes and that instability there threatens freedom of navigation.
AP reported shipping through Bab al-Mandeb was down about 60% from levels before the Houthi attacks that began in late 2023. AP also said about 12% of the world's goods typically pass through the strait. That raises the risk of higher freight costs, war-risk insurance premiums and rerouting for cargo owners.
The IEA said in its August 2026 oil market report that an agreement allowing unhindered transit through Bab al-Mandeb remains elusive and that disruptions in the region have changed oil supply and demand expectations.
What remains unconfirmed is full battlefield control of the coast and nearby islands. The claims on Mokha and the push toward Bab al-Mandeb are being reported by AP and Al Jazeera, with Reuters-distributed reporting providing additional context.
By the numbers
- 60% - AP said shipping through Bab al-Mandeb has fallen since late 2023 Houthi attacks.
- 12% - AP said roughly this share of the world's goods typically passes through Bab al-Mandeb.
Yes, but: Full control of Bab al-Mandeb is not independently verified, and reporting on the ground appears to rely on a mix of witness accounts, government sources and wire reports.
What's next: Watch for shipping insurer pricing, naval responses and whether independent reporting confirms control of Bab al-Mandeb or nearby islands.