Houthi forces have taken control of Dhubab district, overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Mayun Island, a day after capturing Mokha port, according to information provided to Sheba Intelligence. Mayun divides the strait into two shipping channels, giving the island strategic importance for international navigation.

Intelligence sources told Sheba Intelligence that the Houthis, under the direct supervision of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have drawn up plans to advance toward the Al-Arah coast in Lahj governorate to consolidate their hold around Bab al-Mandab.

The sources said the plan includes ballistic missile strikes intended to disrupt military forces regrouping in Al-Arah, alongside attacks on the approaches to Aden if the coalition launches operations against Houthi forces.

According to the sources, Houthi commanders view the absence of coalition air operations as an opportunity to entrench their presence around the strategically important maritime chokepoint.

Psychological Campaign Targeting Retreating Fighters

The reported plan also includes a psychological warfare campaign aimed at exploiting divisions among anti-Houthi factions through rumours and social media accounts promoting mutual accusations of betrayal, particularly those using regionalist rhetoric.

The sources said the campaign seeks to amplify allegations of mistreatment of National Resistance forces who withdrew toward Aden, portraying the fighters as humiliated or abandoned in an effort to persuade them to return, join Houthi ranks or cooperate with the group.

Missile Deployments Prepared Before Mokha Advance

The sources said Houthi commanders and IRGC advisers had prepared a broader offensive plan after the capture of Hays and Al-Khokha, but before entering Mokha. It included deploying missiles across mountainous and coastal areas in anticipation of resistance or attempts to outflank their advancing forces.

Those missiles were not used during the advance, the sources said, because withdrawals by forces along the western coast allowed the Houthis to move forward more easily than anticipated.

The group is now preparing to use those capabilities against forces assembling in Al-Arah, according to the same sources, as it seeks to secure its newly captured positions and disrupt preparations for a counteroffensive.

The reported territorial changes and details of the alleged IRGC-supervised plan have not been independently verified.