Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen seized a key island on Friday after having captured a Red Sea port, moves that threatened to further disrupt international shipping in the region.
The Houthis captured Mayun Island at the entrance of the Red Sea, a key alternative for shipping Saudi oil and other exports since Iran has been targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The island’s seizure was confirmed by a senior military official with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and a Houthi official.
Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against the airport in Yemen’s port city of Mokha, which the Houthis captured Thursday, a Houthi broadcaster said.
Why It Matters
About 12% of the world’s goods are typically shipped through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. The waterway is especially important to Saudi Arabia, a key US ally. For years, Saudi Arabia has imposed a blockade on Houthi-held parts of Yemen, prompting the rebels to escalate attacks on Saudi shipping.
Iran Presses for End to Blockade
Iran’s Foreign Ministry called for an end to Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen and an immediate return to negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, throwing its support behind its ally. The statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency marked Tehran’s first public comment since the Houthis entered the Red Sea port of Mokha on Thursday.
Yemen’s National Defense Council strongly condemned the Houthis’ renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it would respond to threats across the country.
Anthropic Blocks Yemen Weapons Development
Separately, the AI company Anthropic said it identified and blocked users in northern Yemen attempting to develop advanced missiles. Anthropic said its models were being used to pursue sophisticated precision, long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles, some using commercially available smartphones.
The company said the accounts used Claude Code to develop software that “steers and stabilizes a flying vehicle” and were working to develop weapons including a guided rocket that allows mobile phone users to autonomously track targets. There is no evidence the users in Yemen succeeded in fielding a weapon, Anthropic said.
Gaza Strike
An Israeli strike on Friday killed a man walking in a street in southern Gaza and wounded several others, including children, according to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military said the strike in Khan Younis had targeted a Hamas member
The Bottom Line
Houthi rebels have captured Mayun Island in the Red Sea, threatening global shipping routes. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes on a port the Houthis seized earlier. Iran called for an end to the Saudi blockade of Yemen. Meanwhile, Anthropic blocked users in Yemen attempting to develop advanced missiles using its AI models. In Gaza, an Israeli strike killed a man and wounded several others.
