Yemen's Houthis seize strategic islands in southern Red Sea, expand control over key shipping route

Yemen's Houthi rebels have taken control of two strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their hold over a major international shipping route, Yemeni government and Houthi officials said on Monday.

Houthi fighters were deployed on Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish islands, located about 160 kilometres north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to two Yemeni government officials and a Houthi official.

The takeover followed the withdrawal of hundreds of forces allied with Yemen's government from the archipelago, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The seizure came a week after the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and Mayun island, which lies within the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.  (with inputs from Associated Press)