🔶 The withdrawal of the Yemeni government; Houthi control of Babylon Mandav.
The forces affiliated with the recognized government of Yemen announced on Sunday, November 15 (Evan 24), that they had withdrawn from their positions near the strategic Bebelmandab strait.
This action gave control of the areas overlooking the strait to the Houthis supported by the Islamic Republic and strengthened their position on one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
The armed forces of South Yemen announced in statements that they are moving their forces from the military airport of Zabab and the Bablamandab area in the west of Taiz province to Aden and its surroundings.
According to this statement, the purpose of the transfer of forces is to strengthen the defense lines of Aden, the seat of the Yemeni government, and to deal with the Houthis' military threats to the southern regions of the country.
In October, Yemeni government forces began an operation to regain control of the coastal areas from the Houthis. This operation occurred after the Houthis tried to take control of more parts of the Red Sea coast by advancing southward in September.
However, the recent withdrawal of government forces has left the Houthis in control of areas near Babelmandav.
It is not yet clear to what extent this group has the ability to directly control the movement of ships in this waterway.
The Strait of Babel Mandav, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the most important sea crossings in the world.
Much of the trade between Asia and Europe is carried out through this route and then the Suez Canal.
The control of the Houthis over the areas overlooking this strait occurs in a situation where the Islamic Republic has imposed extensive restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with America and Israel's captives.
These developments may increase the pressure on the energy export routes of Arab countries in the Persian Gulf. While the movement of oil tankers from the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, some countries in the region depend on the Red Sea route to transport oil to global markets.
Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that transports some of its oil in pipelines to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
However, the increase in Houthi infiltration around Babylon Mandav could also endanger the safety of transporting these cargoes to Asian markets.
The Houthis have stepped up their missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.