Houthis Seize Red Sea Strait as Italy Deploys Navy on September 19

Yemen’s Houthi militia seized control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in early September 2026, capturing the strategic port of Mocha and Perim Island after a rapid offensive along the Red Sea coast. The waterway, roughly 30 kilometers wide, handles about 12% of global trade and connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Italy announced on September 18 it will deploy its navy to escort Italian merchant ships independently, bypassing EU coordination delays. The move signals growing concern that prolonged Houthi control could force shipping around Africa, costing billions in fuel and time.

How the Houthis took the strait in days

The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched a blitzkrieg offensive in early September 2026, overrunning Yemeni government forces along the western coast. On September 9, Houthi units captured the districts of Hays and Al-Khawkhah. On September 10, they seized the port city of Mocha. On September 11, they took Perim Island, which sits directly inside the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group now controls the eastern shore of the strait and can monitor or threaten all passing vessels. The offensive displaced more than 112,000 people inside Yemen, according to UN figures.

Why Italy is going it alone on escort missions

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced on September 18 that Italy will not wait for EU consensus to protect its shipping. “We have the capabilities to protect passage,” Crosetto said, adding that bureaucratic decision delays must not worsen an already complex situation. Italy already has a frigate in the region under EU Operation Aspides, which has been active since 2024. An Italian Eurofighter jet was hit during a Houthi strike on September 18, underlining the military risk. Rome’s unilateral move is a diplomatic signal to Brussels that faster action is needed.

The economic stakes for global shipping

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait accounts for roughly 12% of global trade, making it one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. If shipping companies avoid the route and sail around Africa instead, voyage times extend by weeks and fuel costs rise sharply. Saudi Arabia faces particular pressure: three pumping stations on its East-West oil pipeline were damaged in a drone attack originating from Iraq in recent days, forcing more crude to move by sea. The Houthis seek economic concessions from Saudi Arabia, including war reparations and lifting port controls, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The UN Security Council condemned Houthi attacks on September 19, noting that at least 125,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since early September.

US and Saudi response remains unclear

The United States has declined to provide direct military support to Saudi Arabia, instead relying on intelligence sharing. US Vice President JD Vance confirmed Washington has held direct talks with Houthi representatives in Oman. Former US deputy ambassador to Yemen Nabeel Khoury described the arrangement as a tacit understanding where the Houthis pledge not to target American or Israeli vessels. Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of launching 26 attacks in 24 hours and claimed its forces killed 30 Houthi rebels in clashes in Taiz province. The UN Security Council demanded the Houthis immediately cease military escalation and attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

The Houthi seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait threatens 12% of global trade and forces Western nations to act independently. Italy’s decision to deploy its navy without EU approval signals that shipping protection cannot wait for consensus, raising the cost of doing business in the Red Sea.

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