Houthis were said to be nearing complete control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after reportedly taking control over Zaqar and Mayun Islands, as well as the Al-Omari military base and Mukha city in Yemen.

All major indices declined and nearly all sectors were in the red aside from energy as Brent climbed back above USD 100/bbl.

Asian stocks fell Thursday as oil prices extended gains a day after breaking the psychological $100 barrier on the back of resurgent Middle East hostilities that have fanned…