Yemen's Houthi forces have taken control of a strategic island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial shipping route for global oil exports. This development follows a series of setbacks for the UN-backed Yemeni government, including the recent loss of the port city of Mocha. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions as tensions escalate in the region.
The Bab al-Mandab strait is vital for linking Asia and Europe, with approximately 12% of global goods passing through. Full Houthi control could significantly impact international shipping and oil prices, which have already surged above $100 a barrel amid ongoing conflict in Yemen.