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♟️ Houthis capture the Bab al-Mandab, and Saudi Arabia's oil bypass goes dark

♟️ Houthis capture the Bab al-Mandab, and Saudi Arabia's oil bypass goes dark

Houthi forces seized the Bab al-Mandab islands days after drone strikes knocked out Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, stranding 2.6-4 million barrels a day and pushing Brent above $107. Iran's nuclear file is now headed to the UN Security Council for the first time in 20 years.

ISW/CTP map of Hudaydah, Taiz, and Lahij as of Sept 14, 2026, showing Houthi-held Red Sea coast including Mokha, Dhubab, and Hanish Islands.
AEI’s Critical Threats Project maps Houthi hold on Mokha, Dhubab and the Hanish Islands, putting launch sites within a few miles of the main Red Sea–Indian Ocean lanes. Source

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