Yemeni Forces Renew Claim Over Bab al-Mandab as Houthis Say Attack Repelled
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces claimed on October 9 that they captured the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Mayyun Island with Saudi air support. A Houthi military spokesman said the group repelled the advance, destroying more than 22 armored vehicles and causing dozens of casualties among the attacking forces. The claim was the second in days after an earlier announced capture of the area proved false.
The Oct. 9 operation reportedly began before first light, with Saudi aerial backing. Forces involved included the Southern Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield, which allegedly took al-Ardi camp, coast guard lookout points and elevated positions near the strait, plus Mayyun Island. A similar Oct. 5 claim during Operation Yemen Dawn was later disproved.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said a second push from Lahj province was stopped. He reported missile, artillery and heavy-weapon fire that disabled over 22 armored vehicles and caused dozens of casualties, including commanders; 30-plus ambulances reportedly reached Aden. Bab al-Mandab links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Suez route.
If fighting around Bab al-Mandab persists, shipping crews, traders, and consumers relying on the Red Sea-Suez route may face higher insurance, delays, or rerouting costs. Yemeni civilians near Lahj, Taiz, Aden, and Mayyun could see more displacement, casualties, and strain on medical services. Competing claims may deepen uncertainty for aid groups and local communities, while any shift in control could alter access and security conditions.