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YAF secure Bab al-Mandab, advance toward Dhubab

Al Mayadeen| September 11, 2026

The Yemeni Armed Forces have advanced into Dhubab on the western coast, reaching the area overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Friday. The advance follows their taking control of al-Mokha and other positions along the Red Sea coast, as normal life returns to the area and government institutions resume their work.

The Saudi-backed government confirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces had completed their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait and taken control of the strategic Mayyun Island, AFP reported, citing a local Yemeni official.

Two officials in the Saudi-backed government also told Reuters that the Saudi-backed forces had withdrawn from Perim Island, located in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Saudi-backed forces face encirclement

Saudi-backed forces also told AFP that the YAF were besieging their forces on the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands.

“We do not know the fate of our forces, numbering more than 2,000 personnel on the islands,” the sources said. “As far as we know, the Houthi enemy has called on them to surrender.”

A senior military official told AFP that the besieged forces had appealed to the authorities to “rescue them, send food and water, and lift the siege,” adding that this would require air support.

‘A strategic disaster for Washington and Riyadh’

The Yemeni Armed Forces had taken control of the Yemeni city of al-Mokha on the Red Sea. Reuters quoted a military official in the Aden government and witnesses as confirming the development, noting that the YAF were advancing toward areas adjacent to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Yemeni Armed Forces also took control of al-Khokha and Hays, south of the coastal Red Sea province of Hodeidah, as well as al-Wazi’iyah in Taiz.

As part of international and regional assessments of these developments, The Guardian described the Yemenis’ control of the Red Sea coast as a “strategic disaster” for the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Israeli media outlets continued to follow developments in Yemen, with Israeli Channel 14 stating that the “Houthis’ control of the city of Mokha constitutes a strategic event that could have far-reaching repercussions.”

YAF prepare to announce a large-scale military operation

The YAF advances come as the Saudi aggression across Yemen continues, with the aim of supporting and reinforcing Saudi military mobilizations on the ground.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is carrying out airstrikes targeting several provinces, including Marib, al-Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeidah.

In this context, the Saba News Agency reported on Friday that Saudi Arabia had carried out two airstrikes on al-Mokha Airport, west of Taiz province in southwestern Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni Armed Forces are expected to issue a statement today announcing a large-scale and qualitative military operation.

YAF take control of key areas, military sites in Mokha, west of Taiz

The Yemeni forces have taken control of key areas and military positions in the coastal district of al-Mokha, west of Taiz Governorate, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Thursday.

In detail, our correspondent revealed that the Yemeni Armed Forces have taken control of Khalid Camp Base and Jabal al-Nar Camp, which serves as the command headquarters for military forces on the western coast.

This development comes as the YAF made advances in several areas, taking control of al-Wazi’iyah, al-Khokha, and Hays, before reaching the outskirts of the city of al-Mokha.

It is worth noting that the area of the districts of Hays and al-Khokha to the south of the coastal Hodeidah governorate on the Red Sea exceeds 1,050 square kilometers, local sources told Al Mayadeen.

The accelerating developments follow the Yemeni Armed Forces’ announcement in July that the 2022 truce with Saudi Arabia had collapsed following Saudi Arabia’s aggression on Sanaa International Airport.

September 11, 2026 - Posted by aletho | Wars for Israel | Israel, Saudi Arabia, United States, Yemen