Houthi forces maintain control over key coastal positions and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following advances in September and October 2026, enforcing a selective embargo on Saudi-linked vessels announced in July. This has reduced overall transits below pre-July baselines, with daily commercial movements fluctuating between roughly 11 and 38 vessels in early November amid ongoing missile, drone, and small-boat risks. Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi-led airstrikes, have recaptured territory in the Dhubab district overlooking the strait, while international tracking shows partial recovery in non-Saudi traffic and continued use by some tankers. ISPS Security Level 3 remains in force, and the waterway stays open without formal closure declarations, though volatility from the broader Yemen conflict and regional tensions continues to shape rerouting decisions and insurance costs.