🇸🇩Week of September 7

Houthi forces have taken control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, the strategic waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and tightened their grip on the surrounding area. Yemeni sources told CNN that the group also seized Perim island near the strait.123

Two Saudi airstrikes targeted Mokha airport as Houthi forces advanced toward Bab al-Mandab. The strikes came as the Houthis pressed their push on the strait.145

Attributed claim: The BBC reported that Trump rejected a request from the Saudi crown prince to strike the Houthis. DW.com, citing sources, said the Houthis' latest move was carried out at the request of and with support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.21

The Houthi advance has tightened their chokehold on Bab al-Mandab, a chokepoint for international shipping.123

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has pushed oil prices sharply higher, with Brent crude jumping 6.68 percent to near 108 dollars a barrel on supply disruption fears. Oil is heading to end the week above 100 dollars a barrel for the first time since May, while Brent remains above 105 dollars even after a decline of more than 2 percent.12

Banks have raised their oil price forecasts amid the ongoing Hormuz crisis. HSBC lifted its 2026 Brent forecast to 90 dollars a barrel, and the US Energy Information Administration also raised its oil price projection.34

Three banks have outlined scenarios for oil prices, including the possibility of prices reaching 120 dollars a barrel. Other forecasts see oil climbing as high as 200 dollars a barrel in 2026.56

Attributed claim: Despite the Hormuz crisis, oil has not surpassed the 100-dollar barrier, according to one account. This contrasts with reports that Brent is near 108 dollars and that oil is set to close the week above 100 dollars for the first time since May.712

The Israeli army detonated tunnels and infrastructure on the Ali al-Tahir heights in southern Lebanon, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Netanyahu said weapons sent by Iran to Hezbollah were seized at the site, and published a video describing the operation as the destruction of "the largest Iranian site outside the republic."123

Israeli forces withdrew from the Ali al-Tahir heights after destroying Hezbollah's infrastructure there, and Israel said it remains committed to the Yellow Line. Hezbollah members were reported to have preferred death rather than surrender during the operation.456

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.1 earthquake in southern Lebanon following the Israeli detonation of Hezbollah tunnels. Israel also intensified its strikes in Lebanon, targeting both the Qantara area and the Ali al-Tahir heights.78

The explosions produced major changes in the terrain of the Ali al-Tahir heights, an area described as a new loss for Hezbollah.91

Iran has turned to Bab al-Mandab after the Strait of Hormuz lost effectiveness as a pressure card, according to retired general Hisham al-Halabi. The Houthis have taken control of a strategic island and tightened their grip on Bab al-Mandab. The shift follows an agreement between Iran and Oman on new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz, as described by Iranian President Pezeshkian.12

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has roiled the oil market, with Brent crude approaching a level highlighted by mobtada.com. HSBC raised its 2026 Brent forecast to $90 amid the crisis. A political science professor warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz raises risks for navigation and markets.341

Bahrain said it will not hold meetings with Iran before diplomatic relations are resumed, according to a statement cited by Al-Arabiya. The condition sets a precondition for any bilateral engagement.1

Egypt's interior minister issued a decision treating the death of officer Abdel Rahman Khaled El-Adawy as a case of martyrdom and promoting him to the rank of major. The decision was published in the Official Gazette, which recorded both the martyrdom designation and the promotion.12345

The officer is identified in the decisions as Captain Abdel Rahman Khaled El-Adawy, and the promotion raises his name to the rank of major. Coverage of the decision appeared across Egyptian outlets on the same day.12345

The interior ministry stated that the officer's death is counted among cases of martyrdom, alongside the promotion to major. The Official Gazette carried the minister's decision on both the designation and the rank.45