Houthis claim capture of Dhubab and strategic Mayun island in Yemen

According to an Iranian state news agency, the Houthis have also claimed control of the Al-Umari garrison, an important military base overlooking the Bab al-Mandab, and of Zuqar island in the Red Sea. The aim is to tighten their hold on a trade route of global importance.

Houthi leader Mohammed al-Bukhaiti had claimed control of the Bab al-Mandab on Thursday. The Houthis had reached Mocha airport after seizing key areas and military bases in Yemen’s western province of Taiz.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government army has said its air force has begun bombing the previously announced “kill box”. Civilians have been asked to avoid using the Taiz-Mocha road and the Mocha-Dhubab road.