Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces announced on October 5, 2026, that they have reached the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and captured several Houthi fighters during a rapid coastal advance. Units from the Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield Forces reported seizing key positions in the Dhubab district that overlook the vital waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Shaky video circulating from the scene shows trucks, armed groups, and personnel moving along a muddy shoreline as the operation unfolded. The claims form part of the newly launched “Operation Dawn of Yemen,” in which Saudi-led coalition jets provided heavy air cover and struck hundreds of Houthi targets. Military sources said the advancing troops cut supply routes and surrounded remaining Houthi elements in the area, with some fighters reportedly fleeing by boat. Officials described the moves as a direct counter to recent Houthi gains that had threatened shipping through the chokepoint.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains one of the world’s most important maritime passages, and its temporary disruption by Houthi advances last month raised global concerns over energy and trade routes. Yemen’s internationally recognized government framed the current offensive as an effort to restore state control and push the Iran-aligned Houthis back from the coast. Coalition spokesmen confirmed round-the-clock air support, including the involvement of roughly 100 fighter jets that destroyed large numbers of high-value targets. While Houthi media denied some of the reported gains, government forces insisted they now hold effective control over critical points near the strait and continue securing the surrounding districts. The developments mark a significant escalation in the renewed fighting and highlight the high stakes surrounding this narrow waterway. All sides continue to contest the final outcome as operations expand on multiple fronts.