Houthis Capture Key Red Sea Island Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured Mayun Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea. This move threatens Saudi oil exports through one of the world's major commercial lanes. The capture was confirmed by both a senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognized government and a Houthi official.

Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against an airport in Mokha, a key port city that the Houthis seized on Thursday. There were no immediate reports of damage or deaths.

The capture of Mayun Island is significant because it gives the Houthis control over one of the world's key commercial lanes, providing them with leverage to disrupt global shipping and drive up oil prices. The strait is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been targeted by Iran in recent months.

Iran's government called for an end to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Yemen and urged a return to negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.