Yemeni government-aligned forces launched Operation Dawn of Yemen in early October 2026 to reverse Houthi gains along the southern Red Sea coast, including Perim (Mayyun) Island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which Houthis seized in mid-September after government forces withdrew. Reports from October 9 indicated government brigades recaptured the island and nearby positions during clashes around Dhubab and Mocha, though independent verification remains limited and both sides have issued conflicting territorial claims. Ongoing ground fighting near Taiz and the strait, combined with airstrikes and reported casualties, continues to shape control, while Houthi positions on the Hanish Islands and mainland coast sustain pressure on maritime routes. Scheduled military developments or confirmed shifts in the coming weeks could alter the balance.