Forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council said that they took control of the Bab el Mandeb Strait from the Houthis, after a lightning advance backed by Saudi air power.

After the Houthis seized the entire Red Sea Coast last month, attention had shifted east to the southwest highlands, with fighting focused around the city of Taiz in recent weeks. On Monday, PLC forces pulled off a lightning advance of their own, breaking through Houthi lines and seizing key positions in the Dhubab district, the narrowest point of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Numerous videos taken by advancing PLC forces were geolocated at their stated position.