Yemen’s Houthi forces have announced the capture of the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea, following their recent advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The move comes after the group seized Mokha and Mayun Island, further expanding its presence around the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Hanish Islands are located about 160 km north of Bab el-Mandeb and occupy a strategic position near this major maritime chokepoint. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean, making the region important for international cargo and energy shipments.