Houthis Seize Strategic Red Sea Locations as Saudi Arabia Seeks US Military Aid

Iran aligned Houthi forces have captured the strategic port city of Mocha and advanced to Perim Island and the town of Dhubab, granting them significant control over the Bab el Mandeb Strait. This waterway is a vital global shipping route and the southern outlet of the Red Sea. The advance comes as Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the Red Sea for oil exports following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Brent crude prices jumped as much as 4 percent above 105 dollars a barrel following the developments, and the US national average for diesel surpassed 6 dollars a gallon for the first time. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held at least two phone calls with President Donald Trump on Thursday to request military assistance against the Houthis. The Trump administration declined direct military action but offered intelligence sharing and targeting support. US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper traveled to Saudi Arabia for talks on Thursday. The Houthis have stated that maritime navigation remains safe for all shipping companies except for Saudi vessels. Humanitarian organizations report a dire situation in the region. Medecins Sans Frontieres warned of a health collapse in Mocha as most medical centers stopped functioning. The International Organization for Migration reported that at least 46,000 people have been displaced since fighting escalated last week. Sources from the Yemeni government and regional officials claim the Houthi offensive was conducted with direct guidance and weapons from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran has publicly denied that the Houthis are a proxy and called for dialogue to solve the conflict.