Houthis claim attacks on Saudi Arabia and control of Red Sea islands

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed on Monday that they had launched a new wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia and seized the strategic islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea.

The claims were reported by France 24 International, which provided no independent confirmation of the alleged attacks or island seizure. The timing, location, scale and impact of the reported attacks were not specified.

The Hanish islands are strategically located near a key maritime shipping route. Any sustained change in control could carry implications for maritime security, but the available material does not establish that the Houthis currently control the route or hold the islands permanently.

Earlier reports described Houthi advances along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and pressure on Saudi shipping and energy infrastructure. That historical context does not independently verify Monday’s claims.

It also remains unclear whether the reported seizure represents sustained Houthi control. The group’s account should therefore be treated as an unverified claim pending further evidence.