Saudi Arabia/Yemen: Red Sea Crisis Escalates as Houthis Seize Islands and Threaten Vital Oil Shipping Routes

Sep 14, 2026
Deutsche Welle
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A fresh Houthi offensive in the southern Red Sea is threatening to further disrupt global oil supplies and shipping, after the Iranian-backed rebels announced Monday that they had captured Greater and Lesser Hanish islands. The strategic islands give the Houthis greater control over a key maritime route and could increase pressure on Saudi Arabia, which has been forced to seek alternative routes for its oil exports after the Strait of Hormuz was closed amid the escalating war involving Iran and the United States.