Yemen's Houthi forces captured the Red Sea port of Mocha on 11 September 2026, positioning themselves closer to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to Oilprice and Finnhub. The strait is a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Finnhub reported that Houthis have secured control of the strait following the seizure of strategic Red Sea positions. CNBC TOP confirmed Houthi forces had captured a major Yemeni port city, increasing security risks for maritime traffic through the passage.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait carries approximately 6.2 million barrels of oil daily and roughly 80% of northbound LNG shipments destined for Europe, according to Oilprice. The Suez Canal, which depends on stable transit through the strait, saw its revenues fall by over 60% during the 2024 Houthi attack campaign, costing Egypt an estimated $7 billion, as reported by Oilprice.
Brent crude and WTI are the benchmark contracts directly tied to Red Sea oil transit volumes, which are now subject to renewed disruption risk at this chokepoint. LNG shipments to Europe are routed through the strait, making European gas supply chains a directly affected segment of the disruption reported by Oilprice and Finnhub.
No official statement from a UN body, coalition government, or regulatory authority appears in the cluster data at the time of reporting. Finnhub noted that Iranian pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, combined with the Bab al-Mandeb developments, represents a dual-chokepoint situation for global energy flows and maritime shipping routes.
Sources: Oilprice, investinglive.com, Cnbc TOP