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An-Nahar says the Houthis "completed control" of Bab al-Mandab; Asharq Al-Awsat says Yemeni forces "reposition themselves"

Houthi fighters now hold Mayun island, in the middle of the strait that carries Saudi oil exports. Two Lebanese papers call it a takeover. A Saudi paper's headline calls it a repositioning. A Houthi statement claims 5,400 km², and no other report we hold confirms that figure.

الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب
الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب as published by Al-Modon · seen at Al-Modon
Levant & Iran Yemen Saudi Arabia

What the reports agree on. An-Nahar says Houthi fighters hold the Bab al-Mandab shore and Mayun island. It cites a Yemeni government official speaking to AFP, and witnesses. The official says government forces left Mayun on Thursday. Al-Modon reports the same takeover. Neither says why the government side left.

Three words for one move.

Outlet What it calls it Whose words
An-Nahar, Al-Modon Houthis "completed control" government official, witnesses
Asharq Al-Awsat Yemeni forces "reposition themselves" in southern Mokha we hold the headline only
LBCI, IRNA "Yemeni armed forces" take 5,400 km² Houthi military statement

Shipping. The Houthi military spokesman says passage is safe for every shipping company except Saudi vessels. LBCI carries this directly and through Reuters. An-Nahar says the takeover raises concern for maritime traffic. No shipping company or insurer speaks in any report we hold.

The people. Only An-Nahar counts them. It gives more than 500 killed since last week, mostly fighters, from an AFP tally of several sources. It also gives at least 46,000 displaced, a figure from the International Organization for Migration. No report names any of the dead.

Not settled. - Whether government forces were pushed out or pulled back. No report gives a reason. - The 5,400 km² and "seven divisions, 38 brigades". Only the Houthi statement gives these figures. - Who holds the two Hanish islands. An-Nahar lists them but does not say. - Whether ships, Saudi or not, are actually moving.

What this is about. An armed movement in Yemen, the Houthis, has taken the narrow sea passage at the mouth of the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia now leans on that passage for its oil exports.

How it got here. - 2014–15. The Houthis, a movement from Yemen's north, took the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. In March 2015 a Saudi-led coalition went to war to restore the internationally recognised government. Yemen has been split between the two sides ever since. - 2022. A UN-brokered truce in April slowed the fighting. There was no peace settlement. - 2023–24. After the Gaza war began in October 2023, the Houthis attacked ships in the Red Sea. They said they did it for Gaza. The United States and Britain struck back. - 2026. An-Nahar reports that Iran has all but closed the Strait of Hormuz since its war with the United States began. Before 28 February, a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied gas went through Hormuz. That made the Red Sea route far more important to Riyadh. Fighting on Yemen's west coast started again last week. On 8 September we reported Riyadh's figure of 73 civilians wounded.

Who is involved, and why. - The Houthis (Ansar Allah) run Sanaa and most of the north. - The recognised government is backed by Saudi Arabia. It held the coast and the islands of the strait. - Saudi Arabia has led the war against the Houthis since 2015. It now needs the strait for its exports. - Iran backs the Houthis politically. Tehran denies arming them. An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called the advance a victory. - The UN has a special envoy, Hans Grundberg. The Security Council met on the fighting on Thursday.

What is at stake. Bab al-Mandab lies between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and joins Asia's shipping to Europe's. If Hormuz is shut and one party at war with Riyadh can close this strait, Saudi oil loses its second way out. According to Reuters via LBCI, the Houthis already name Saudi ships under a ban they announced earlier. Brent crude went above $100 a barrel on Friday.

Where it stands. The Houthis took Mokha and the Zuqar islands on Thursday and Mayun on Friday. The International Organization for Migration counts at least 46,000 people displaced. The reports we hold do not say whether any ships have been stopped.

The story so far

Earlier stories The AI Times filed on this thread.

What is being argued about

  • Whether the government side's exit from Mayun and Mokha was a defeat or a repositioning
  • The Houthi claim of 5,400 km² taken and seven divisions hit, which nobody else confirms
  • Houthi assurances that shipping is safe for everyone except Saudi vessels
  • More than 500 dead and 46,000 displaced, counted in one report only
One move, three descriptionsSide by side
OutletWhat it saidWhose words
An-NaharHouthis "completed their control" of Bab al-Mandab and Mayun island; government forces withdrew the day beforeA Yemeni government official to AFP; witnesses
Al-ModonHouthis take Mayun and "tighten their grip" on Bab al-MandabIts own headline
Asharq Al-Awsat"Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha"Its own headline
LBCI"Yemeni forces" take 5,400 km² on the western coast; navigation safe except for Saudi vesselsHouthi armed forces statement and spokesman
IRNA5,400 km² "liberated"; seven divisions of 38 brigades hitHouthi armed forces spokesman
What each outlet's text says. We hold only the headline or opening lines of Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Modon and IRNA, and of two of LBCI's three reports.
Sources An-Nahar
Centre estimate · not a score
An-Nahar 🇱🇧LB · newspaper · independent ماذا نعرف عن سيطرة الحوثيين على منطقة باب المندب حتى الآن؟ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at An-Nahar → What we have measured Accused named the accused is named and his age is given ×1Accused named names the accused and gives his age ×1A contested finding relayed with the case still the prime minister's claim carried, with the court proceedings noted in the same sentence ×1Active voice and a toll in the background paragraph, the July strikes get named actors and counted dead — the only counted dead in this story ×1 from 10777 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Al-Modon
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Modon 🇱🇧LB · digital · الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Al-Modon → What we have measured Actor left unnamed a man is killed by an air strike in the headline with nobody named as striking; shelling and demolitions simply "continue" ×1Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter. ×1Actor named, action nominalised Israeli escalation is named but arrives as a wave, not as a doer ×1Affected people The only report that looks at people in the south: the explosions, the fear and the displacement. ×1 from 3381 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Asharq Al-Awsat
Centre-right estimate · not a score
Asharq Al-Awsat 🇸🇦SA · digital · Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → What we have measured Active voice, both actors named the killing of Iran's supreme leader is given an actor and a date, unhedged ×1Active voice for the actor soldiers and settlers are both named as acting ×1Anyone hurt is counted, not named three dead given as a figure and a job title ×1Are the hurt named or counted The dead man and the wounded are a count inside an official's quote; nobody is named, and no ages, roles or nationalities are given. ×1 from 3032 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent الحوثيون: الملاحة البحرية آمنة لجميع شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية​ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) 🇮🇷IR · state agency · state-controlled تشریح عملیات نیروهای مسلح یمن علیه نیروهای سعودی از زبان سخنگو Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → What we have measured A contested word in the headline "illegal" is a Chinese spokesperson's characterisation, carried unmarked in the headline ×1A contested word taken as the report's own "illegal" appears in the headline without quotation marks or attribution to the speaker ×1Acted upon, never acting police are named as acting; whoever hoarded a billion toman of staples is not named at all ×1Actor label The Houthi-run authority is called Yemen's transport ministry. ×1 from 15038 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Two days on the coast, and how the day's reports followedTimeline
  1. Thu 10 Sep— no time published Houthis take Mokha and the Zuqar islands, An-Nahar says
  2. Thu 10 Sep— no time published Government forces leave Mayun island, a government official tells AFP via An-Naharno reason given
  3. Fri 11 Sep06:38 publication time, UTC Asharq Al-Awsat Yemeni forces "reposition themselves" in southern Mokha
  4. Fri 11 Sep09:08 publication time, UTC Al-Modon Houthis take Mayun and tighten grip on Bab al-Mandab
  5. Fri 11 Sep12:45 publication time, UTC An-Nahar Houthis "completed their control" of Bab al-Mandab 500+ dead, 46,000 displaceddead: AFP tally; displaced: IOM
  6. Fri 11 Sep13:04 publication time, UTC Houthis, via Reuters on LBCI navigation safe for all except Saudi vessels
  7. Fri 11 Sep13:05 publication time, UTC Houthi armed forces, on LBCI claim land taken on the western coast 5,400 km²not confirmed by any other party
  8. Fri 11 Sep13:34 publication time, UTC Houthi spokesman, on IRNA claims seven divisions of 38 brigades hit 5,400 km²not confirmed by any other party
Report times are publication times in UTC. The Thursday events come from An-Nahar's account.
Sources An-Nahar
Centre estimate · not a score
An-Nahar 🇱🇧LB · newspaper · independent ماذا نعرف عن سيطرة الحوثيين على منطقة باب المندب حتى الآن؟ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at An-Nahar → What we have measured Accused named the accused is named and his age is given ×1Accused named names the accused and gives his age ×1A contested finding relayed with the case still the prime minister's claim carried, with the court proceedings noted in the same sentence ×1Active voice and a toll in the background paragraph, the July strikes get named actors and counted dead — the only counted dead in this story ×1 from 10777 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Asharq Al-Awsat
Centre-right estimate · not a score
Asharq Al-Awsat 🇸🇦SA · digital · Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → What we have measured Active voice, both actors named the killing of Iran's supreme leader is given an actor and a date, unhedged ×1Active voice for the actor soldiers and settlers are both named as acting ×1Anyone hurt is counted, not named three dead given as a figure and a job title ×1Are the hurt named or counted The dead man and the wounded are a count inside an official's quote; nobody is named, and no ages, roles or nationalities are given. ×1 from 3032 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Al-Modon
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Modon 🇱🇧LB · digital · الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Al-Modon → What we have measured Actor left unnamed a man is killed by an air strike in the headline with nobody named as striking; shelling and demolitions simply "continue" ×1Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter. ×1Actor named, action nominalised Israeli escalation is named but arrives as a wave, not as a doer ×1Affected people The only report that looks at people in the south: the explosions, the fear and the displacement. ×1 from 3381 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent رويترز: الحوثيون يعلنون أن الملاحة البحرية آمنة لكل شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية الخاضعة للحظر المعلن عنه مسبقا Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) 🇮🇷IR · state agency · state-controlled تشریح عملیات نیروهای مسلح یمن علیه نیروهای سعودی از زبان سخنگو Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → What we have measured A contested word in the headline "illegal" is a Chinese spokesperson's characterisation, carried unmarked in the headline ×1A contested word taken as the report's own "illegal" appears in the headline without quotation marks or attribution to the speaker ×1Acted upon, never acting police are named as acting; whoever hoarded a billion toman of staples is not named at all ×1Actor label The Houthi-run authority is called Yemen's transport ministry. ×1 from 15038 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias

Two sides, one name

Reports use 'Yemeni forces' for both sides of the same fight. Two use it for the Houthis, and one uses it for the government troops pulling back. Four use the name Houthis.

2 reports calling the Houthi side Yemeni forces 1 reports calling the government side Yemeni forces 4 reports using the name Houthis

Land counted more often than people

Two reports carry the Houthi claim of 5,400 square kilometres taken. Only one report counts the dead or the displaced. That report gives more than 500 dead and 46,000 displaced, and says who counted.

2 reports carrying the land claim 1 reports giving the dead a number 1 reports giving the displaced a number
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources An-Nahar
Centre estimate · not a score
An-Nahar 🇱🇧LB · newspaper · independent ماذا نعرف عن سيطرة الحوثيين على منطقة باب المندب حتى الآن؟ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at An-Nahar → What we have measured Accused named the accused is named and his age is given ×1Accused named names the accused and gives his age ×1A contested finding relayed with the case still the prime minister's claim carried, with the court proceedings noted in the same sentence ×1Active voice and a toll in the background paragraph, the July strikes get named actors and counted dead — the only counted dead in this story ×1 from 10777 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Al-Modon
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Modon 🇱🇧LB · digital · الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Al-Modon → What we have measured Actor left unnamed a man is killed by an air strike in the headline with nobody named as striking; shelling and demolitions simply "continue" ×1Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter. ×1Actor named, action nominalised Israeli escalation is named but arrives as a wave, not as a doer ×1Affected people The only report that looks at people in the south: the explosions, the fear and the displacement. ×1 from 3381 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent الحوثيون: الملاحة البحرية آمنة لجميع شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية​ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent رويترز: الحوثيون يعلنون أن الملاحة البحرية آمنة لكل شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية الخاضعة للحظر المعلن عنه مسبقا Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) 🇮🇷IR · state agency · state-controlled تشریح عملیات نیروهای مسلح یمن علیه نیروهای سعودی از زبان سخنگو Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → What we have measured A contested word in the headline "illegal" is a Chinese spokesperson's characterisation, carried unmarked in the headline ×1A contested word taken as the report's own "illegal" appears in the headline without quotation marks or attribution to the speaker ×1Acted upon, never acting police are named as acting; whoever hoarded a billion toman of staples is not named at all ×1Actor label The Houthi-run authority is called Yemen's transport ministry. ×1 from 15038 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Asharq Al-Awsat
Centre-right estimate · not a score
Asharq Al-Awsat 🇸🇦SA · digital · Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → What we have measured Active voice, both actors named the killing of Iran's supreme leader is given an actor and a date, unhedged ×1Active voice for the actor soldiers and settlers are both named as acting ×1Anyone hurt is counted, not named three dead given as a figure and a job title ×1Are the hurt named or counted The dead man and the wounded are a count inside an official's quote; nobody is named, and no ages, roles or nationalities are given. ×1 from 3032 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Claims and verdicts

true The Houthis completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab area on Friday, including Mayun island in the middle of the strait.
An-Nahar carries this from a Yemeni government official speaking to AFP, from witnesses on the shore, and from government forces pulling off Mayun the day before, and Al-Modon reports the same takeover. Asharq Al-Awsat's headline calls the government side's move a repositioning in southern Mokha, which describes the same retreat rather than denying it.
Checked against 3 sources:
An-Nahar
Centre estimate · not a score
An-Nahar 🇱🇧LB · newspaper · independent ماذا نعرف عن سيطرة الحوثيين على منطقة باب المندب حتى الآن؟ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at An-Nahar → What we have measured Accused named the accused is named and his age is given ×1Accused named names the accused and gives his age ×1A contested finding relayed with the case still the prime minister's claim carried, with the court proceedings noted in the same sentence ×1Active voice and a toll in the background paragraph, the July strikes get named actors and counted dead — the only counted dead in this story ×1 from 10777 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Al-Modon
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Modon 🇱🇧LB · digital · الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Al-Modon → What we have measured Actor left unnamed a man is killed by an air strike in the headline with nobody named as striking; shelling and demolitions simply "continue" ×1Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter. ×1Actor named, action nominalised Israeli escalation is named but arrives as a wave, not as a doer ×1Affected people The only report that looks at people in the south: the explosions, the fear and the displacement. ×1 from 3381 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Asharq Al-Awsat
Centre-right estimate · not a score
Asharq Al-Awsat 🇸🇦SA · digital · Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → What we have measured Active voice, both actors named the killing of Iran's supreme leader is given an actor and a date, unhedged ×1Active voice for the actor soldiers and settlers are both named as acting ×1Anyone hurt is counted, not named three dead given as a figure and a job title ×1Are the hurt named or counted The dead man and the wounded are a count inside an official's quote; nobody is named, and no ages, roles or nationalities are given. ×1 from 3032 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified Shipping through Bab al-Mandab is safe for every company except Saudi vessels.
This comes only from the Houthi military spokesman, carried by LBCI directly and through Reuters. No report we hold has shipping companies, insurers or any other party confirming it.
Checked against 2 sources:
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent الحوثيون: الملاحة البحرية آمنة لجميع شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية​ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent رويترز: الحوثيون يعلنون أن الملاحة البحرية آمنة لكل شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية الخاضعة للحظر المعلن عنه مسبقا Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified Houthi forces took 5,400 square kilometres on the western coast and hit seven enemy divisions made up of 38 brigades.
LBCI and IRNA both carry the same Houthi armed forces statement, so this is one account. No report we hold has the Yemeni government, the Saudi-led coalition or an independent tally confirming these figures.
Checked against 2 sources:
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) 🇮🇷IR · state agency · state-controlled تشریح عملیات نیروهای مسلح یمن علیه نیروهای سعودی از زبان سخنگو Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → What we have measured A contested word in the headline "illegal" is a Chinese spokesperson's characterisation, carried unmarked in the headline ×1A contested word taken as the report's own "illegal" appears in the headline without quotation marks or attribution to the speaker ×1Acted upon, never acting police are named as acting; whoever hoarded a billion toman of staples is not named at all ×1Actor label The Houthi-run authority is called Yemen's transport ministry. ×1 from 15038 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Who wrote it

ا المدن - عرب وعالم Al-Modon
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter.×1
Army wording attributed The report attributes the description of the soldiers' deaths as an 'operational incident' to the army.×1
Asserted not attributed pressure on Abu Dhabi presented as revealed, not claimed×1
Asserted, not attributed the US block is stated as fact with no source named×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 misleading7 disputed18 unverified15 true
From 801 reports we hold under this byline, at Al-Modon. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting. · 6 reports we hold carry no byline — we do not invent one.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent الحوثيون: الملاحة البحرية آمنة لجميع شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية​ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Houthi military spokesman says navigation is safe for all shipping companies except Saudi vessels. LBCI's first line calls the Houthis "allied with Iran".
أعلن المتحدث العسكري باسم الحوثيين المتحالفين مع إيران في اليمن يحيى سريع، في منشور على منصة ”تيليغرام“، أن الملاحة البحرية لا تزال آمنة لجميع شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية الخاضعة لحظر أُعلن عنه سابقا. وأوضح أن الجماعة تؤكد أن "الملاحة البحرية آمنة لكل الشركات باستثناء السفن السعودية التي سبق إعلان الحظر عليها، وأنها مستمرة في تثبيت معادلة الحصار بالحصار... والتصعيد بالتصعيد، حتى وقف العدوان ورفع الحصار عن شعبنا العزيز".
Label: Describes the Houthis by their alliance with Iran in the first line. — “الحوثيين المتحالفين مع إيران”
Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/world/957120/title/ar?src=rss&utm_source=T…
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) 🇮🇷IR · state agency · state-controlled تشریح عملیات نیروهای مسلح یمن علیه نیروهای سعودی از زبان سخنگو Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → What we have measured A contested word in the headline "illegal" is a Chinese spokesperson's characterisation, carried unmarked in the headline ×1A contested word taken as the report's own "illegal" appears in the headline without quotation marks or attribution to the speaker ×1Acted upon, never acting police are named as acting; whoever hoarded a billion toman of staples is not named at all ×1Actor label The Houthi-run authority is called Yemen's transport ministry. ×1 from 15038 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — state-controlled
The only report with the claim of seven enemy divisions and 38 brigades hit. It calls the land "liberated".
تهران- ایرنا- سخنگوی نیروهای مسلح یمن با تشریح عملیات علیه نیروهای سعودی گفت که در جریان این عملیات مساحتی بالغ بر ۵۴۰۰ کیلومتر مربع آزاد شد و هفت لشکر نظامی نیروهای دشمن شامل ۳۸ تیپ، هدف قرار گرفت.
Verb choice: The land taken is called 'liberated', in a sentence with no actor named — “مساحتی بالغ بر ۵۴۰۰ کیلومتر مربع آزاد شد”
Word choice: Uses 'liberated' for the territory taken, the wording of the Houthi military spokesman. — “مساحتی بالغ بر ۵۴۰۰ کیلومتر مربع آزاد شد”
Read it at IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) → https://www.irna.ir/news/86261057/%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AD-%D8%B9…
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Prints the Houthi armed forces statement under the name "Yemeni forces" and claims 5,400 km² on the western coast.
Naming: The Houthi side is called 'the Yemeni forces', the name another report gives the government side — “القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي”
Whose name for whom: Calls the Houthis 'the Yemeni forces', their own name for themselves, and prints their statement without comment. — “القوات اليمنية تعلن السيطرة على 5400 كيلومتر مربع في الساحل الغربي”
Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/world/957114/title/ar?src=rss&utm_source=T…
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
Centre estimate · not a score
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent رويترز: الحوثيون يعلنون أن الملاحة البحرية آمنة لكل شركات الشحن باستثناء السفن السعودية الخاضعة للحظر المعلن عنه مسبقا Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → What we have measured Active voice, actor named the Israeli army carried out the detonation ×1Actor framing Tehran calls the meeting. Iraq is the only other state named. ×1Actor left unnamed the strike in Iraqi waters has no one named as firing it — the source is "unknown" ×1Actor named names Israel as the one striking ×1 from 8159 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Through Reuters, LBCI adds that the Saudi exception is a ban the Houthis had already announced.
Read it at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) → https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/latest-news/957112/title/ar?src=rss&utm_so…
An-Nahar
Centre estimate · not a score
An-Nahar 🇱🇧LB · newspaper · independent ماذا نعرف عن سيطرة الحوثيين على منطقة باب المندب حتى الآن؟ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at An-Nahar → What we have measured Accused named the accused is named and his age is given ×1Accused named names the accused and gives his age ×1A contested finding relayed with the case still the prime minister's claim carried, with the court proceedings noted in the same sentence ×1Active voice and a toll in the background paragraph, the July strikes get named actors and counted dead — the only counted dead in this story ×1 from 10777 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report with the government official, the witnesses, an island-by-island account, the death toll and the displacement count. It also carries praise from Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Mojtaba Khamenei, who
استكمل الحوثيون اليمنيون الجمعة سيطرتهم على منطقة باب المندب بعد انتشارهم في جزيرة ميون الاستراتيجية الواقعة في وسط المضيق الجمعة، في خطوة تثير القلق على مصير الحركة البحرية قرب هذا الممر الاستراتيجي الذي يربط آسيا بأوروبا.، بات الحوثيون المدعومون من إيران يسيطرون على الممرّ المائي الحيوي لصادرات النفط السعودية، والذي ازدادت أهميته بالنسبة للرياض منذ إغلاق إيران بعد اندلاع الحرب بينها وبين الولايات المتحدة بشكل شبه تام مضيق هرمز الذي كانت تمرّ عبره قبل 28 شباط-فبراير خمس صادرات العالم من النفط والغاز الطبيعي المسال.وقال مسؤول حكومي يمني لوكالةفرانس برس استكمل الحوثيون سيطرتهم على منطقة باب الم
Figure says what it counts: The death toll says whom it counts, mostly fighters, and where it came from — “مقتل أكثر من 500 شخص، معظمهم من المقاتلين”
Verb choice: The Houthi advance is described as completing control of Bab al-Mandab — “استكمل الحوثيون اليمنيون الجمعة سيطرتهم على منطقة باب المندب”
Source of withdrawal: A government official is the source for the government troops leaving the island — “بعد انسحاب القوات الحكومية منها بالأمس”
Casualty count source: Gives the toll as 'more than 500', mostly fighters, and says it is a tally compiled from several sources. It is the only report with dead or displaced figures (at least 46,000 displaced, from the UN migration agency). — “عن مقتل أكثر من 500 شخص، معظمهم من المقاتلين، وفق حصيلة جمعتها وكالة فرانس برس من مصادر عدة”
No actor named: Government forces 'withdrew' from Perim the day before. Nothing says why, or who pushed them. — “وصلت إلى جزيرة ميون بعد انسحاب القوات الحكومية منها بالأمس”
Read it at An-Nahar → https://www.annahar.com/international/iran/346412/مستشار-للمرشد-الأعلى-…
A Al-Modon
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Modon 🇱🇧LB · digital · الحوثيون يسيطرون على ميون ويعززون قبضتهم على باب المندب Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Al-Modon → What we have measured Actor left unnamed a man is killed by an air strike in the headline with nobody named as striking; shelling and demolitions simply "continue" ×1Actor named The Israeli army is named as the shooter. ×1Actor named, action nominalised Israeli escalation is named but arrives as a wave, not as a doer ×1Affected people The only report that looks at people in the south: the explosions, the fear and the displacement. ×1 from 3381 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → —
Headline says the Houthis took Mayun and "tighten their grip" on Bab al-Mandab. We hold only its opening words.
حجم الخط مشاركة عبر استكملت جماعة "أنصار الله" (الحوثيون) سيطرتها على منطقة باب المندب، بعد انتشار مسلحيها في جزيرة ميون الاستراتيجية الواقعة وسط المضيق ووصول قواتها إلى مدينة ذباب الساحلية، في تطور يعزز قبضتها على أحد أهم الممرات البحرية في العالم، وسط تصاعد المواجهة مع القوات الحكومية والسعودية وتحذيرات أممية من عودة اليمن إلى حرب واسعة النطاق. وقال مسؤول حكومي محلي لوكالة "فرانس برس"، اليوم الجمعة، إن "قوارب على متنها مسلحون حوثيون وصلت إلى جزيرة ميون بعد انسحاب القوات الحكومية منها بالأمس"، فيما أفاد شهود الوكالة بأن مسلحي الجماعة ينتشرون على شاطئ باب المندب، ولديهم مركبات عسكرية يتجولون ب
Read it at Al-Modon → https://www.almodon.com/arabworld/2026/09/11/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D…
A Asharq Al-Awsat
Centre-right estimate · not a score
Asharq Al-Awsat 🇸🇦SA · digital · Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → What we have measured Active voice, both actors named the killing of Iran's supreme leader is given an actor and a date, unhedged ×1Active voice for the actor soldiers and settlers are both named as acting ×1Anyone hurt is counted, not named three dead given as a figure and a job title ×1Are the hurt named or counted The dead man and the wounded are a count inside an official's quote; nobody is named, and no ages, roles or nationalities are given. ×1 from 3032 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → —
The only report calling the move around Mokha a repositioning. We hold its headline only.
Battles on the Yemeni western coast and west of Taiz entered a new phase on Thursday as government forces reorganized their deployment south of the city of Mokha, and formed an alternative command center in the Dhubab district toward Bab al-Mandeb, following breakthroughs achieved by the Iran-backed Houthi group on a number of fronts during the past hours. The development came following days of violent battles on the west coast, during which the Houthi forces managed to advance in al-Waziyah and Mawza and seize control of important positions as government forces withdrew from positions in Hays
Verb choice: The government side's pullback is called a repositioning — “Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha”
Measure chosen: The only report calling a move around Mokha a 'repositioning'. The others describe Mokha as seized. — “Yemeni Forces Reposition Themselves in Southern Mokha”
Read it at Asharq Al-Awsat → https://english.aawsat.com/node/5317039
Checked, didn’t cover
Haaretz
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Haaretz 🇮🇱IL · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured A previous framing corrected the twelve-country statement described as ambiguously worded ×1Asserted flat The report states as fact that barring Arab parties is a standing ritual. ×1Asserted flat The report says ethnicity explains the different outcomes, in its own voice. ×1Asserted in the report's own voice Parties are characterised by what they are said to promise, unattributed, and the headline calls the result frightening. ×1 from 1936 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Palestine TV · Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
Palestine TV · Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation 🇵🇸PS · TV/radio · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted versus attributed recognition itself stated as fact ×1Attribution 'historic' attributed to the Palestinian ambassador ×1Dead counted, not named two dead are counted as 'citizens' and none are named; the wounded are not counted ×1Dead named Gives the dead man's full name and age. ×1 from 766 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Ynet
Centre estimate · not a score
Ynet 🇮🇱IL · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured A claim in the headline that the other reports very close to deciding the regime appears in one report only ×1Active voice The killers are the subject of the verbs 'beat' and 'burned'. ×1Active voice The killers are named as acting ×1Army's term, attributed the army names the target of its strikes, and no one on the other side is quoted ×1 from 2684 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Shargh
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Shargh 🇮🇷IR · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured A count with its base both days given, and the data called preliminary ×1Actor named as a state the attack is Yemen's, not the Houthis' ×1A different actor does the asking Pakistan's army chief, not Beijing, is the one asking Tehran to use its influence, on the word of unnamed Pakistani government sources. ×1'aggression' in the narration The US campaign is called aggression in the report's own narration, which it credits to Al-Ahram's account of the call. ×1 from 10199 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Al-Monitor
Centre estimate · not a score
Al-Monitor 🇺🇸US/ME · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Actor from anonymous officials Puts the IRGC at the trigger in a sentence sourc ×1Actor named Names the Director-General as the one who requested the dismissal ×1Actor named names Trump as the one who began the war, with Israel ×1Actor named names Israel as the actor in its military actions against the Palestinians ×1 from 1566 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Tehran Times
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
Tehran Times 🇮🇷IR · newspaper · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted vs attributed headline states the seizure flat; the body attributes it to the claimant ×1Attribution the toll is attributed to a body that is described but not named ×1Headline against body headline states the seizure flat; the body attributes it to the IRGC ×1How the objectors are framed opposition is described as protesters speaking for civilians ×1 from 1753 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Al Jazeera English
Centre estimate · not a score
Al Jazeera English 🇶🇦QA · TV/radio · state-funded international No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accusation attributed Cuba's charge is attributed to its foreign minister, not stated as fact ×1Actor named The headline names Israel as the actor and gives a count of three that includes a child. ×1Agency No actor is named for the detentions. The raids, not the soldiers, 'left' the town in lockdown ×1Agency Names Israel as the actor in the headline, in active voice ×1 from 4959 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Silence is recorded, not inferred — each of these was read when we built this story and carried nothing on this event.
We could not read these
K Kan · Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
Centre estimate · not a score
Kan · Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation 🇮🇱IL · public broadcaster · public-service No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Times of Israel
Centre estimate · not a score
The Times of Israel 🇮🇱IL · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Actorless in own voice The killing is passive with no shooter in the se ×1Headline carries the purpose The livestock and the army's reason are in the h ×1Headline frame The headline carries the military's word for the ×1Military words carried whole Both the label for the dead and the phrase for t ×1 from 149 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → A Al-Sabaah
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
Al-Sabaah 🇮🇶IQ · newspaper · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Ma'an News Agency
Centre estimate · not a score
Ma'an News Agency 🇵🇸PS · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Al Rai
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
Al Rai 🇯🇴JO · newspaper · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Al-Mada
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Al-Mada 🇮🇶IQ · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → North Press Agency
Centre estimate · not a score
North Press Agency 🇸🇾SY · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Attribution the damage list is carried in full, attributed to the side claiming it ×1Single official source Uses the Saudi Press Agency's account: 'bilateral relations', with no mention of reconstruction or money. ×1What is at stake presents the stakes as trade and energy security; no ship, crew or price is counted ×1Which line is led with led by the legal instrument, naming the Security Council resolution by number ×1 from 1169 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → WAFA · Palestinian News & Information Agency
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
WAFA · Palestinian News & Information Agency 🇵🇸PS · state agency · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency) 🇸🇾SY · state agency · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Al-Manar
State-owned, sometimes critical estimate · not a score
Al-Manar 🇱🇧LB · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Galei Tzahal (Army Radio)
State / loyalist estimate · not a score
Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) 🇮🇱IL · TV/radio · state-controlled No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Middle East Eye
Centre-left estimate · not a score
Middle East Eye 🇬🇧UK · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured How hard the claim is stated Its own body says the investigators did not attribute the network to the Emirati state — the qualification its headline drops. ×1How hard the claim is stated The body withdraws in one line the attribution its own headline makes ×1How deeply it is sourced Cites its own past reporting as the evidence for the claim in its own headline, and calls the evidence widespread in its own voice ×1How deeply it is sourced Offers its own past reporting as the evidence supporting the claim in its headline, inside the same sentence that carries the denial. ×1 from 125 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Ammon News
Centre estimate · not a score
Ammon News 🇯🇴JO · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times →
These are must-cite outlets for this desk that we did not manage to read when we built this story. That is a gap in our reach, not a silence on their part, and it is not evidence of anything about this story.

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