The whole world has just descended into chaos; Two key islands have "fallen"

Houthi officials said today that they had taken control of the islands as government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, were attempting to retake territory lost during the rebels’ rapid advance around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key alternative maritime route to the Strait of Hormuz, the AP reported.

The latest territorial seizure came after the Houthis captured the port of Mocha in the Red Sea and a strategic island last week.

According to the AP, the Houthis’ latest advance is putting additional pressure on Saudi oil shipments, and consequently on global oil supplies and prices.

Earlier, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said that attacks on Saudi military positions would continue until what he called the “aggression” ends and the blockade of areas in Yemen controlled by the Houthis is lifted.

Saree said that a major military operation had been carried out against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, Al Jazeera reported.

According to him, the targets included aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition storage facilities at the base. The attack reportedly resulted in direct hits and caused “significant damage” inside the base.

How did the Houthis succeed?

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Yemeni rebels were able to intercept communications from their opponents, allowing them to learn their military plans and make advances on the battlefield.

The American newspaper further reported, citing informed sources, that the Houthis had been eavesdropping on conversations between their opponents’ commanders, giving them insight into their plans.

The Houthis also managed to gain access to the phones of government forces’ fighters after capturing them.

The Houthis’ ability to intercept communications from government forces helped them make advances on the ground, the newspaper reported.

Such tactics caused chaos and confusion on the battlefield, while the Houthis also managed to contact enemy fighters directly on the ground and call on them to surrender.

Help sought from Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Jeddah today with U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper to discuss the escalation of hostilities, Saudi state media reported.

The meeting came several days after the crown prince requested military assistance from U.S. President Donald Trump in the fight against the Houthis, three well-informed sources told Reuters.

Trump did not approve the request, but Washington told Riyadh that it would provide intelligence-sharing and assistance with target identification.