Houthi Forces Seize Perim Island, Control Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, after capturing Perim Island. The takeover was confirmed by local government officials and eyewitnesses on Friday, marking a significant escalation in the group’s military campaign against Yemen’s internationally recognized government. According to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, armed Houthi fighters arrived at Mayyun Island, also known as Perim, after government forces withdrew from the position the previous day. The island sits in the middle of the narrowest part of the strait, dividing it into two shipping lanes that are crucial for international commerce.
An eyewitness reported seeing gunmen deploying along the shore and moving in military vehicles, indicating a firm consolidation of power in the area. This move completes the Houthi takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb region, according to the same official. The capture follows a blitz offensive launched on Thursday, during which the Houthis seized the strategic port city of Mokha and Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea. Military sources stated that these gains were achieved through rocket attacks and ground assaults utilizing boats to transport fighters. Online footage appeared showing Houthi celebrations in Mokha and the seizure of weapons left behind by retreating government troops, although Euronews could not independently verify the authenticity of this material.
The loss of the strait places roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne trade under hostile control when combined with Iran’s blockade of the Hormuz Strait. These two waterways account for more than a quarter of global seaborne crude oil and petroleum trade, while nearly one-third of the world’s container traffic passes through the Red Sea alone. Prior to the current offensive, the Houthis controlled about one-third of Yemen’s territory and had previously targeted shipping in the waterway, which connects Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal. Reports indicate that the group consulted with Tehran over the summer regarding imposing a safe passage toll, a move intended to further strain global economies.
In response to the escalating crisis, the leader of Yemen’s internationally recognized governing council urged Arab and other nations to assist in defending the country’s coasts. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry issued its first public statement since the offensive began, calling for an end to Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen and the immediate resumption of talks. The statement, carried by state-run IRNA news agency, emphasized that Yemen’s sovereignty must be respected and that its problems cannot be resolved through blockades or military alliances. However, reports claim that Iran’s elite paramilitary IRGC has deployed dozens of advisors to aid Houthi operations, though independent verification remains unavailable.
The conflict has triggered broader regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia retaliating against Houthi attacks on its territory with daily strikes on Houthi-held areas. Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel due to disruptions in infrastructure and tanker movements. Although US President Donald Trump previously warned of a response if maritime traffic were blocked, Washington remains reluctant to intervene directly as it is engaged in its own conflict with Iran. Pakistan, which signed a mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, stated it would honor the pact only if necessary, describing it as a defensive alliance focused on deterrence.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
