Yemen

The Iran-backed group's capture of Mocha, Dhubab and Perim Island gives it control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global shipping.

Tehran dismissed Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that Houthi rebels act as Iranian agents, calling regional instability a result of U.S. military intervention

Government-aligned troops have carried out drone strikes on Houthi positions across six provinces, challenging a weapon the group has long used with near-total freedom.

Yemeni government forces accused Iran-backed Houthis of new ballistic missile attacks on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha and residential areas in Marib.