Houthis advance as President Trump calls off strikes

Houthi fighters pushed on Monday to seize strategic high ground intended to isolate stretches of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, after reports President Trump called off planned US strikes at the last minute. Reaction pending.

Heights above Red Sea coast

Officials said the fighters moved to capture terrain that would constrain access to coastal routes and ports used by Saudi-backed forces. Officials described the advance this month as rapid and aimed at tightening control over land approaches to the Red Sea.

The group, which US officials say receives backing from Iran, now holds positions that could complicate naval access and force commercial vessels to consider alternative corridors. Officials said authorities and maritime monitors were tracking movements and assessing whether insurers and carriers should reroute traffic.

Over the next 48 hours, through Sept. 24, 2026, officials and shipping monitors will watch frontline shifts for signs the gains will cut established maritime channels. Any sustained closure of coastal approaches would raise freight costs, alter regional naval postures and increase pressure on diplomatic backchannels focused on Red Sea security.