Houthis seize key island and coastal towns on Red Sea route

Houthi rebels took control of Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Friday, following their capture of the historic port city of Mocha the previous day. The advance also included movement toward the coastal town of Dhubab, while forces loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government withdrew from the island.

The Bab al-Mandeb is a strategic chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, through which a significant share of global oil and trade passes. Analysts warned that Houthi presence on the Yemeni side of the strait could enable them to threaten commercial shipping and further disrupt oil supplies, adding pressure to already elevated global oil prices.

Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, said the development marks a notable shift, noting that the Houthis are now targeting both Saudi territory and the kingdom’s Red Sea strategic depth. He cautioned that while control of the captured locations strengthens the Houthis’ bargaining position, it does not equate to full sovereignty over the strait, which also borders Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Houthi officials declared that maritime navigation remains safe for all vessels except those belonging to Saudi Arabia, and pledged continued attacks on Saudi targets until what they described as a blockade is lifted. The statement claimed that Houthi forces had downed nine aircraft and inflicted casualties on opposing troops.

The United Nations International Organization for Migration reported that at least 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the recent escalation of fighting, urging all parties to ensure humanitarian access and protect civilians.

The escalation follows a broader resurgence of conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which has been ongoing since 2014 and has recently intensified after a period of relative calm.