Inside the Houthi advance: How Iran's allies are helping tighten Tehran's grip on the Red Sea

The Houthis have recently seized control of key Red Sea locations, including the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, the port city of Mocha, Perim Island, and the Zuqar islands. This advance positions them to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, just 20 km from the African coast, and target Saudi shipping. This coordinated effort with Iraqi Shi'ite militias, which included a drone attack on Saudi's East-West pipeline, demonstrates Iran's regional influence. Documents obtained by The Jerusalem Post reveal direct Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese support for the Houthis, including expert advice on drones, missiles, and intelligence operations, and details on smuggling networks involving China and Russia for vital components. This contrasts with the disunity among anti-Houthi forces, with Saudi Arabia acting against UAE-backed elements and the US avoiding escalation as long as general shipping is not targeted.