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Houthi Rebels Seize Mokha, Islands Near Bab el-Mandeb

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 1:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Houthi rebels captured Mokha and the islands of Perim, Greater and Lesser Hanish, securing Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September 2026.
Saudi Arabia shut its east-west oil pipeline following drone attacks it said originated from Iraq.
Oil shipments to Asia rose from 128,000 bpd in August to 700,000 bpd in September, Kpler reports.
UN and IOM reported over 80,000 people displaced in September, with an additional 46,000 fleeing the previous week.

History

Historical Context

In September 2015, Houthi rebels launched missile strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil processing plant, halting roughly 5.7 million barrels per day. The attacks forced Saudi Aramco to shut the East-West Crude Pipeline, cutting 1.2 million barrels daily and prompting a $2 billion repair estimate. Similarly, in September 2026 Houthi forces seized Mokha and the Bab el-Mandeb islands, prompting Saudi Arabia to close the same pipeline after alleged Iraqi-based drone strikes. These disruptions forced oil flows to reroute, raising Asian imports from 128,000 bpd to 700,000 bpd and displacing over 80,000 civilians, highlighting the Red Sea’s fragility.

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Story summary

Houthi rebels captured Mokha and the islands of Perim, Greater and Lesser Hanish, securing Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September 2026.
Saudi Arabia shut its east-west oil pipeline following drone attacks it said originated from Iraq.
Oil shipments to Asia rose from 128,000 bpd in August to 700,000 bpd in September, Kpler reports.
UN and IOM reported over 80,000 people displaced in September, with an additional 46,000 fleeing the previous week.

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