Yemen’s army announced on Monday that it had taken control of the port town of Dhubab and nearby sites close to the Bab al-Mandeb strait from the Iran‑backed Houthi rebels. The claim was made by the defence ministry in a brief statement, with accompanying footage of soldiers standing on the waterfront.

The move comes as the Houthi movement has been expanding its reach along Yemen’s northern coast in recent months. The new claim marks the first reported advance by government forces in the region in more than a year, according to Al Jazeera. The strategic corridor, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, carrying a third of the global oil trade.

"Our forces have secured Dhubab and the surrounding coastal positions that are critical to the security of the Bab al-Mandeb waterway," the ministry said. "This operation is part of a larger campaign to reclaim all territory under Houthi control," it added.

"Our forces have secured Dhubab and the surrounding coastal positions that are critical to the security of the Bab al-Mandeb waterway," the ministry said.

The footage shows troops moving through a narrow strip of land that borders the strait, with a small fleet of fishing boats visible in the background. The ministry’s statement did not provide details on the size of the force or the extent of the area captured. No independent verification has yet been reported, and Houthi spokespeople have not yet responded.

In the same week, the Yemeni government declared a new campaign aimed at regaining all territory held by the Houthis. France 24 reported that the army had launched a broad set of strikes against Houthi targets, signalling a shift in the conflict’s tempo. The ministry said it would conduct “regular operations” to push back the rebels from key coastal towns.

The timing of the announcement coincides with a scheduled meeting of Pakistani, Saudi and Turkish officials, who are expected to discuss the evolving security situation in the region. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have all signalled a willingness to coordinate on maritime security, according to diplomatic sources.

The Bab al-Mandeb strait has long been a flashpoint in the Yemen conflict. Control of the surrounding coastal towns gives a force the ability to monitor shipping lanes and potentially influence international trade. The Houthis have previously used the area to threaten vessels that pass through the strait, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to conduct airstrikes on Houthi positions near the waterway.

Experts warn that any shift in control could prompt a rapid response from the coalition, which has maintained a naval presence in the Gulf of Aden to safeguard shipping. The United Nations has urged all parties to avoid actions that could disrupt commercial traffic, citing the importance of the strait to global commerce.

While the Yemeni army claims the capture of Dhubab, the Houthi movement has not yet confirmed or denied the claim. The international community is watching closely, as the outcome could affect not only the balance of power within Yemen but also the security of a key maritime chokepoint used by millions of barrels of oil each day.

Officials say the operation will be followed by further offensives along the coast, with the aim of securing a continuous line of defence against Houthi incursions. The next stage will likely involve diplomatic engagement, as regional powers seek to prevent a wider escalation that could threaten global shipping lanes.