Yesterday, soldiers loyal to the Saudi coalition against Yemen entered and imposed full control over the Hanish Island which is situated in the strategic Red Sea. Nevertheless, Houthi tribesmen still remain in control of Zuqar island which a few miles north of Hanish Island. Clashes are still ongoing in the area.

The surprise attack is believed to have been launched by boat from Perim Island near Aden while the entire offensive was heavily covered by aircraft loyal to the coalition which completely overwhelmhed Saleh loyalists (i.e Houthis) in the area.

Saudi Arabia initiated the campaign to weaken the Houthis in late March 2015 and gained support from Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, who all agreed to combat the Shia-tribesmen in Yemen with military jets and even some ground forces.

However, the effort has proved somewhat counterproductive as the Houthi regional government has since captured several villages inside Saudi Arabia; most notably, al-Rabuah and al-Khubah.