Yemen’s Houthi rebels are close to capturing Bab al-Mandeb. This island is located in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reuters has quoted sources as saying that Yemeni government forces have given up control on Perim Island and have retreated. Control over Perim Island is vital to maintaining control over Bab el-Mandeb. Right in front of this is the city of Dhubab, where Houthi fighters have also entered. Bab el-Mandeb is a narrow passage to the sea. After capturing here, it will become easier to attack the ships passing nearby. Houthi rebels have been continuously advancing on Yemen’s Red Sea coast for 10 days. They have captured many strategic areas including Mokha. Now they are moving towards the city Taiz. Capture of Mokha increases danger in the Red Sea. Houthis have captured Mokha, a strategic port city located on the Red Sea coast of Yemen. The city is about 75 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to Reuters, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards provided military advice and assistance to the Houthis in the campaign to capture Mokha. However, Iran publicly denies providing military direction to the Houthis. The Bab al-Mandeb is an important sea route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. If the movement of ships is affected here, the global supply of oil and gas may be affected. This may also increase fuel prices. This threat has increased at a time when maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is already affected amid the Iran-US conflict. If the crisis in Bab al-Mandeb also increases, the pressure on the world’s energy supply may increase further. Presence of Iranian commanders claimed According to a regional diplomat familiar with Tehran’s activities, several senior commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had already arrived in Yemen. He supervised and commanded the Houthis’ attacks against Saudi Arabia. According to the diplomat, the strategy of the attacks was discussed for several weeks. Another Iranian official said Iran had held several meetings with its allied groups, including the Houthis. However, according to him, the decision to attack Mokha was taken by the Houthis themselves. Five military officers linked to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government also said Iran had helped the Houthis in their new campaign along the Red Sea. According to Yemeni military sources, based on information received from captured Houthi fighters and communication intercepts, it was claimed that Abdolreza Shahlai, senior commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, was directing the operation. Iran has not confirmed this claim. According to Iranian sources, Shahlai is in the Quds Force and has lived in Yemen before. Claim to deliver weapons despite the blockade: According to Iranian sources, despite the air and sea blockade on Houthi areas in Yemen, the Revolutionary Guards are still able to deliver weapons and military personnel in and out of Yemen. However, the sources did not tell how this was being done. According to Ahmed Nagi, an expert on Yemen affairs of the International Crisis Group, the Houthis’ campaign along the Red Sea did not start suddenly. Preparations for this had been going on for a long time. According to Nagi, a major reason for the increase in the military capability of the Houthis is the new weapons they have received. These include weapons received from Iran as well as weapons obtained from different smuggling networks. He also mentioned the Houthis’ use of drones in the current campaign. The Saudis did not launch a major airstrike on Mokha. When the Houthis began advancing toward Mokha, the Yemeni government asked Saudi Arabia for more air support and other military assistance. Two Yemeni officials gave this information. According to officials, the Yemeni government wanted Saudi Arabia to launch airstrikes on Houthi positions in key areas. These included strategic locations like the capital Sanaa and oil depots. However, Saudi Arabia did not launch a major air campaign on the Mokha front. It provided arms, logistics support and intelligence to Yemen. The Saudis did launch some airstrikes, but their main focus was on the Jawf and Marib provinces on the northern front. According to Yemeni officials, Saudi Arabia does not want a major military conflict with the Houthis. He fears that this may further increase drone attacks by Houthis in Saudi territory. Trump rejected Saudi’s demand for airstrike. Saudi Arabia was hoping for American help against the Houthis. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had appealed to Trump to directly launch US airstrikes, but the US President refused. Despite this, America is helping Saudi. According to CNN, more than 100 American military advisors are present in Saudi Arabia. An American official has put their number at around 200. These American military personnel are helping the Saudi Army in gathering intelligence related to the Houthis and identifying potential targets. However, US troops are not directly taking part in the air strikes against the Houthis. At present America is avoiding direct military action. In such a situation, after the capture of Mokha, the next strategy of Saudi Arabia and Yemen government will be important to stop the Houthis.
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