# Houthis Expand Red Sea Control Amid Intensifying Attacks on Saudi Energy Infrastructure

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/houthis-expand-red-sea-control-amid-intensifying-attacks-on-saudi-energy-infrastructure/
- Published: 2026-09-11T23:11:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-12T05:15:44+00:00
- Topics: Americas, Middle East, Space, Technology, World

## Key points

- Houthis now control Yemen's entire Red Sea coast and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Saudi Crown Prince urged Trump to intervene militarily; US demurred.
- Saudi oil pipeline drone strike compounded the crisis, lifting oil prices.

## Summary

Yemen's Houthi rebels have completed their takeover of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline and both shores of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, culminating a week-long offensive that also saw a Saudi oil pipeline struck by drones launched from Iraq. The rebels' capture of the strait, a vital chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal beyond, gives Iran-backed forces control over two of the Middle East's most strategic maritime passages, alongside the Strait of Hormuz, deepening concerns for global shipping and energy supplies.

Government sources said the Houthis seized Perim (Mayyun) Island and the port of Mokha, along with the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, completing control of the western coast after hundreds were killed in the offensive that began on 3 September. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly pressed President Trump directly for military intervention, but Washington offered only intelligence and targeted support rather than committing forces. The unrest coincided with the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline after a drone strike, sending oil prices sharply higher, while Iran's leadership publicly congratulated the Houthis on what it called a "resounding victory".

## Coverage

- [BBC World: Lightning Houthi advance in Yemen may bring dangerous new dimension to Iran war](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v4zgzr1kxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Daily Mail: Houthis seize shipping strait as drone attacks force Saudi pipeline shutdown](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16124587/Oil-Saudi-Arabia-pipeline-attack-drones-Iraqi-Houthis.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.