The Houthis have made a rapid advance along Yemen’s southern Red Sea coast.
The development has surprised many observers and could create a new challenge for international shipping and the wider Iran war.
The Iranian-backed group has reportedly captured large parts of Yemen’s Tihamah coastal plain.
Until recently, the anti-Houthi National Resistance controlled much of the area.
However, the balance changed within days.
Houthis Capture Key Coastal Territory
Some estimates suggest the Houthis have taken control of up to 130 kilometres of Yemen’s coastline.
The advance is one of the group’s biggest military gains in recent years.
It also shows that the Houthis remain a powerful force despite years of conflict.
Yemen’s civil war has lasted more than a decade. The Houthis have also faced Saudi airstrikes and military operations by the United States, Israel and Britain.
Despite those attacks, the group has continued to expand its military capabilities.
Houthi Forces Could Be Difficult to Remove
The rapid advance has left some of the group’s opponents stunned.
The Houthis could now strengthen their positions along the coast.
Hisham al-Omeisi, a senior analyst at the European Institute of Peace, said removing the group from the territory could become increasingly difficult.
He said the Houthis were likely to become entrenched in the areas they had captured.
Iran Remains an Important Ally
The Houthis receive support from Iran.
That relationship has become more important as other members of Iran’s regional alliance have suffered major setbacks.
Those groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The former Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad was also a major part of Iran’s regional network.
Analysts, however, caution against describing the Houthis simply as Iranian proxies.
The group has its own interests and decision-making structures.
Nevertheless, Iran’s support provides the Houthis with important military and strategic assistance.
Red Sea Shipping Faces New Risk
The latest Houthi gains could have serious implications for international shipping.
Iran already has influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have threatened shipping around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It also provides an important route toward the Suez Canal.
If the Houthis consolidate their control along the coast, their ability to threaten ships could increase.
Key Islands Could Strengthen Houthi Position
The situation could become even more serious if the Houthis have secured control of important islands in the Red Sea.
One of them is Perim Island, which sits near the narrowest part of the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Control of strategic islands could give the group additional positions from which to monitor or disrupt maritime traffic.
The Houthis have previously demonstrated their ability to target shipping with missiles, drones and small attack boats.
Their attacks during the Gaza conflict forced many commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea route.
Global Trade Could Feel the Impact
The latest developments could therefore create another challenge for global trade.
A prolonged threat to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab could force more vessels to take longer routes.
That would increase travel times and transportation costs.
It could also place additional pressure on oil prices and other commodities.
For now, the Houthi advance remains a major development in Yemen.
However, its impact could extend far beyond the country.
The group now appears better positioned to influence one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
