Houthis Seize Perim Island, Tightening Hold on Red Sea Shipping Routes
Yemen’s insurgent group backed by Iran, the Houthis, has reportedly taken control of Perim Island (also known as Mayyun) located at the narrowest point of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait. The capture follows a successful operation that secured the port city of Mokha from Saudi‑backed forces the day before, solidifying Houthi domination along the western coast of the Red Sea.
Perim Island sits at the mouth of the Bab al‑Mandab, a key maritime corridor for vessels heading to and from the Red Sea towards the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal. Its strategic location means that control of the island allows the Houthis to monitor and potentially influence shipping movements through the world’s busiest oil trade routes.
In a statement issued after the operation, Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea emphasized the purpose of the campaign: "We aimed to remove the presence of Saudi forces in the region, driven by their aggression against our people," he said. The group added that the operation extended beyond Perim, claiming that Saudi troops were expelled from six districts in the Taiz and Hodeidah regions, with hundreds of enemy combatants reported killed, wounded or captured.
The Houthi leadership has reiterated that they pose no threat to international shipping, yet warned that vessels belonging to Saudi entities could be targeted. This stance has escalated the security dilemma for the region, drawing the interest of global powers.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly urging U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene. Trump, however, has so far refrained from deploying U.S. combat forces. Instead, he has offered to provide intelligence and targeting support, citing continuous dialogue with both Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally‑recognised government to maintain regional stability.
The recent advance coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions across the Gulf, particularly after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.–Iran conflict. As the Houthi faction presses its position, oil markets have already responded, with prices nudging above the $100 per barrel threshold for the first time since July due to the ongoing freight disruptions.
Beyond the strategic military implications, the armed struggle has intensified the humanitarian crisis: at least 46,000 people have been displaced since hostilities intensified, with the International Organization for Migration reporting an “alarmingly rising” figure by the hour.
The capture of Perim Island not only gives the Houthis a critical foothold but also potentially shifts the balance of power in a region where control over maritime routes often determines economic security and geopolitical leverage.
