Yemeni officials say the Houthi rebels captured more strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their control of a major maritime shipping route The rebels deployed fighters on the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish 160 kilometers north of Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to two government officials and a Houthi official Key points and original sources are listed below.

• Yemeni officials say the Houthi rebels captured more strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their control of a major maritime shipping routeS1S3

• The rebels deployed fighters on the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish 160 kilometers north of Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to two government officials and a Houthi officialS2