Iran aligned Houthi forces have seized the strategic Yemeni port city of Mocha and Perim Island in a rapid advance along the Red Sea coast, raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world's most important shipping routes.

The Houthis captured Mocha on Thursday before advancing toward the Bab al Mandeb Strait and taking control of Perim Island on Friday, according to Yemeni government sources cited by Reuters and CNN.

The developments represent one of the most significant territorial shifts in Yemen in recent years and have renewed fears that the country's long running conflict could again become a major regional front.

Perim Island, also known as Mayyun, sits inside the Bab al Mandeb Strait and divides the waterway into two navigation channels.

Its location gives whoever controls it a strategically important position overlooking vessels travelling between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

HOUTHIS PUSH SOUTH ALONG RED SEA COAST

The latest offensive began with a rapid Houthi push toward Mocha, a historic port city on Yemen's western coast.

Reuters reported that Houthi forces seized the city as Saudi backed Yemeni government troops retreated further south.

The group subsequently advanced toward Dhubab and Perim Island, two positions considered particularly important for access to the Bab al Mandeb Strait.

By Friday, Yemeni government sources said the Houthis had taken Perim Island, strengthening their position around the strategic waterway.

The Bab al Mandeb, located between Yemen and Djibouti and Eritrea, is only about 29 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and is a key route for ships travelling between Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.

RED SEA SHIPPING RISKS GROW

The Houthi advance has intensified concern over global shipping and energy supplies.

The Bab al Mandeb carries oil, fuel and other commodities between the Gulf, Asia and Europe and has become increasingly important during the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.

Saudi Arabia has also relied more heavily on its Red Sea export infrastructure as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have affected Gulf shipping.

Control of key positions around Bab al Mandeb does not automatically mean the Houthis have completely closed or physically controlled all traffic through the strait.

However, their presence on Perim Island and the surrounding Yemeni coastline gives them a significantly stronger position from which they could threaten or disrupt shipping.

Houthi officials have maintained that international commercial navigation remains safe, while saying Saudi vessels remain subject to restrictions announced by the group.

SAUDI ARABIA SOUGHT US MILITARY SUPPORT

The Houthi advance has also exposed growing pressure on Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies.

Reuters reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought military support from US President Donald Trump as Houthi forces advanced toward the Bab al Mandeb.

Trump declined to order direct US strikes against the Houthis, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Washington instead offered intelligence and targeting assistance.

The White House has said the United States remains focused on protecting freedom of navigation while encouraging regional partners to take the lead in addressing security challenges.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, also travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks as the situation deteriorated.

QUESTIONS OVER YEMENI DEFENCES

The speed of the Houthi advance has triggered criticism and questions about the preparedness of anti Houthi forces.

CNN reported that Yemeni military officials had requested air support as Houthi fighters advanced toward Mocha but said the expected support did not arrive before the city fell.

CNN also cited Western and regional sources who alleged that some Yemeni military formations were significantly weaker than their official personnel records suggested.

One source claimed some army rosters contained so called ghost soldiers who received salaries despite not being present in active units.

Those specific allegations have not been independently confirmed by VNTV and remain based on sources quoted in CNN's reporting.

Analysts have also pointed to longstanding divisions among Yemen's anti Houthi factions as another possible factor in the collapse of government positions.

UAE WITHDRAWAL LEFT SECURITY VACUUM

The latest fighting also comes after the United Arab Emirates withdrew its remaining forces from Yemen earlier this year.

The UAE had previously played a significant role supporting armed groups operating along Yemen's southern and western regions.

Officials from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council have argued that the departure created a security vacuum that was not fully replaced by Saudi backed forces.

The competing political and military interests among Yemeni factions have complicated efforts to establish a unified command against the Houthis.

IRAN CONNECTION HEIGHTENS REGIONAL FEARS

The Houthis have received political and military support from Iran for years, although Tehran has repeatedly denied directly commanding the group.

Reuters reported that Iranian support for the Houthis has intensified during the current regional conflict, while Iranian officials continue to reject claims that Tehran controls Houthi military decisions.

The group's latest territorial gains come as the wider US Iran conflict continues to disrupt oil production and shipping across the Middle East.

The combination of instability around both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al Mandeb has increased fears that two of the world's most important maritime chokepoints could simultaneously face severe disruption.

OIL MARKETS ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE

Global energy markets are already reacting to growing instability.

Brent crude was trading above $100 per barrel during the latest escalation, while Saudi crude supply has fallen sharply following attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes.

The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supply dropped to around six million barrels per day in August, its lowest level in more than three decades.

The Houthi advance toward Bab al Mandeb could further complicate Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil through the Red Sea if conditions deteriorate.

For now, commercial vessels continue to transit the waterway, but the Houthis' capture of Mocha and Perim Island has significantly altered the strategic balance along Yemen's Red Sea coast.

The developments have raised the risk that Yemen, after several years of reduced fighting following the 2022 truce, could once again become a major battlefield in a wider Middle East conflict.