Yemeni forces say they are withdrawing from an area overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, leaving the Houthis in control, Reuters reports.

The government’s retreat ​from the Bab al-Mandab area hands the Houthis greater leverage over the maritime chokepoint, creating ‌a potent pressure point on global shipping.

The southern Yemeni forces say they are ⁠redeploying toward Aden, where the government is based, as the Houthis — who control much of the north, ​including the capital Sanaa and Yemen’s most populous areas — increase pressure on the southern areas still under government control.

“The Southern ​Armed Forces announce the implementation of a redeployment operation for its forces from Dhubab Airport and the Bab al-Mandab area, west of Taiz Governorate,” the southern forces have said in a statement.

“This step is taken based on the priority of securing the ​capital, Aden, and the neighbouring governorates, as well as strengthening the front lines and addressing existing threats.”