{"id":612871,"date":"2026-09-11T14:12:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T14:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/612871\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T14:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T14:12:21","slug":"iran-backed-houthis-claim-major-advance-in-yemen-as-group-reportedly-seize-island-in-key-shipping-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/612871\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran-backed Houthis claim major advance in Yemen as group reportedly seize island in key shipping route"},"content":{"rendered":"

The tiny African country with strategic importance on crucial shipping routepublished at 14:57 BST<\/p>\n

14:57 BST<\/p>\n

\"\"Simi Jolaoso
BBC Africa correspondent<\/p>\n

On the opposite side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Yemen lies tiny Djibouti, whose location has made it one of the most strategically important countries in Africa.<\/p>\n

The narrow waterway between the African coast and Yemen connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and, beyond it, the Suez Canal, making it a crucial route for ships travelling between Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n

That would explain the unusual concentration of military power along Djibouti’s coastline.<\/p>\n

The United States, China, France, Japan and Italy all operate military facilities there.<\/p>\n

The US base at Camp Lemonnier supports around 4,000 US and allied personnel, while China opened its first overseas military support base in Djibouti in 2017. Both bases are only a few miles apart.<\/p>\n

Japan’s only overseas Self-Defense Force Base is also there; alongside long-established French forces and an Italian military base.<\/p>\n

Their missions range from counter-piracy and counter-terrorism to protecting shipping, gathering intelligence and providing logistical support.<\/p>\n

The location has taken on renewed importance as fighting intensifies just across the water.<\/p>\n

Iran-backed Houthi forces are reported to have captured territory along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. <\/p>\n

Several of the world’s biggest military powers already have forces positioned beside this crucial shipping route. <\/p>\n

So while much of the attention is currently on Yemen, the African shore illustrates just how much is at stake. <\/p>\n

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