Militant group in Yemen have captured the islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish, positioning themselves closer to the critical Bab al-Mandab strait chokepoint. This move significantly strengthens the Iran-backed faction’s capacity to dominate a vital maritime shipping corridor.
The acquisition comes amid growing anxiety that the world may be on the brink of a new oil supply crisis. The takeover of these two islands represents the most recent step in the rebels’ rapid offensive along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. This advance follows their earlier capture of the port city of Mokha and Perim island within the Bab al-Mandab strait, further consolidating their strategic foothold in the region.
Oil prices are going to spike. Everyone knows it. We need to stop relying on such fragile chokepoints for global energy supply.
Isn’t Perim already Houthi-held? I thought they controlled the strait exit earlier this year. What new leverage do Hanish actually add?
This is terrifying for shipping insurers. The Bab al-Mandab is already risky, but island control changes everything.