Houthis Take Control of Bab el-Mandeb as Saudi-Backed Forces Withdraw
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces said Sunday they are withdrawing from areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The withdrawal leaves the Houthis in control of the area.
Southern Armed Forces are redeploying from Dhubab airport toward Aden.
300,000 people have been displaced across Yemen by the latest fighting.
About half of the displaced shelter in Taiz, which remains besieged.
600 prisoners were released unilaterally by the Houthis, with Red Cross support.
Why it matters: The strait is a key route for goods moving from Asia to Europe via Suez. Houthi control adds a second chokepoint while Iran disrupts Hormuz.
Ahmed Nagi of the International Crisis Group said the Houthis are determined to reach Aden.
Houthi strikes on Saudi ports, airports and Aramco sites have disrupted flights and oil supplies.
Houthis Take Control of Bab el-Mandeb as Saudi-Backed Forces WithdrawYou are hereLatest
How 9 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 9 sources
9 sources · 10 articles · 45% Center coverage
Where they split: Outlets differ on emphasis: the Jerusalem Post frames the retreat around Iran and global shipping, while the Times and Al Jazeera focus on Yemen's civil war and Aden.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left sees a battlefield setback for the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia, with the civil war tilting toward the Houthis and Aden under threat.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right sees Iran-backed Houthis gaining a strategic chokepoint, adding to Iran's pressure on Gulf shipping during the wider regional war.
