The report of the recapture comes after a major counteroffensive against the extremist, Iran-backed Houthi movement was launched on Sunday. The Saudi-led coalition supporting government forces used 100 warplanes in dawn raids against the Houthis on Monday morning, AFP reports.
According to a spokesman for the Yemeni military, its forces have now cut off the road between the town of Dhubab on the strait and the town of Mocha and taken control of the road.
Hundreds of Houthi fighters have been surrounded in the Dhubab district, the spokesman claims.
Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean, so control of the strait is important for much of global shipping.
