ADEN/ACCRA, Nov. 15 – Yemeni forces fighting for the internationally recognised government said on Sunday they were withdrawing from an area overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, leaving Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in control of territory beside one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, Reuters reported.
“The Southern Armed Forces announce the implementation of a redeployment operation for its forces from Dhubab Airport and the Bab el-Mandeb area, west of Taiz Governorate,” the forces said in a statement.
“This step is taken based on the priority of securing the capital, Aden, and the neighbouring governorates, as well as strengthening the front lines and addressing existing threats,” the statement added.
A second squeeze on shipping
The pullback hands the Houthis greater leverage over the strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and carries large volumes of trade between Asia and Europe via Egypt’s Suez Canal. It comes as Iran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, according to Reuters.
Government forces had launched a campaign in October to retake the strategic coast after a Houthi push south in September. On October 5, the Southern Giants Brigades said they had captured Dhubab Military Airport, Türkiye Today and South24 reported.
The southern forces said the redeployment would also support efforts to break the Houthi siege of Taiz city, with backing from the Saudi-led coalition, The National reported. The government’s military spokesperson welcomed the move and called on the international community to help “liberate” Bab el-Mandeb, given its importance to maritime security and international trade, South24 said.
Taiz hosts about half of the 300,000 people displaced across Yemen by the latest fighting, Reuters reported, with aid supplies unable to enter the besieged city.
Why it matters for Ghana
Ghana imports refined petroleum products and many manufactured goods from Asia and Europe. Further disruption to Red Sea shipping can lengthen voyages and raise freight and insurance costs on routes serving West African ports, pressures that often feed into import and fuel prices.
Source: Reuters; The National; Dawn; Türkiye Today; South24.
Featured image: Oye News GH graphic.