Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia have withdrawn from positions near the Bab al-Mandab strait towards Aden, writes the Financial Times. As a result, control of the strategic route passed to the Houthis, which increased their influence on shipping in the Red Sea and created additional pressure on global energy markets. The Yemeni army said the redeployment was part of a reorganization of forces to defend Aden and lift the siege on the city of Taiz.