Houthi Rebels Suddenly Seize Strategic Hanish Islands in the Red Sea

[Financial News] Yemen’s pro-Iran Houthi rebels have suddenly seized the Greater Hanish Island and Lesser Hanish Island, key strategic positions in the southern Red Sea, significantly strengthening their control over major global maritime shipping routes.
At the same time, concerns over global oil prices are intensifying as repairs to Saudi Arabia’s key oil pipeline, which was attacked last week, are expected to take up to five weeks.
According to a report by The Associated Press (AP) on the 14th (local time), a Houthi rebel official said the rebels had completely seized the two islands as Saudi Arabia-backed Yemeni government forces launched a counterattack near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to halt the rebels’ rapid advance. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a key maritime shipping route that serves as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
IRAN effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz early in the war. One-fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade passes through the strait during peacetime. As a result, Saudi Arabia has relied on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Red Sea, to export crude oil.
After seizing Mocha port and major islands last week, the Houthi rebels have now taken the Hanish Islands as well. This is placing enormous pressure on Saudi Arabia’s crude oil shipments, the global oil supply chain and oil prices. Industry observers believe the development will give IRAN, which is at war with the United States, significant leverage.
China, a major importer of Middle Eastern crude oil, strongly criticized the Houthi rebels’ attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure as “absolutely unacceptable” and expressed deep concern over the rebels’ attempts to further worsen the situation.
According to multiple sources familiar with regional affairs, it is expected to take three to five weeks to fully restore key pumping facilities and other infrastructure damaged in the attack on the 10th. One of the sources said the pipeline may operate only partially while repairs are underway.



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