Houthis Seize Perim Island and Advance Toward Bab el-Mandeb
World
Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have strengthened their positions along the Red Sea coast and advanced toward the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. On Friday, sources reported that the group had seized Perim Island as well as the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, following its capture of the port city of Mocha and the coastal area of Dhubab.
The advance comes amid an offensive launched on September 3 across several fronts. Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the operation had driven opposing forces from six districts in the Taiz and Hodeidah provinces, covering a total area of 5,400 square kilometres.
According to Reuters, the Houthis reached Perim Island, located directly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. An official from Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said the group had “completed the seizure of the Bab el-Mandeb area and Mayyun Island,” with fighters deployed along the coast. A military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government later confirmed to AFP that the Houthis had captured Greater and Lesser Hanish, the last two islands in the strait that had not previously been under their control.
Saree said maritime navigation remained safe for all commercial vessels except Saudi ships, which he said were already subject to a ban. However, greater control over key coastal areas and islands could strengthen the Houthis’ ability to influence shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime corridors. Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is vital for trade between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
The UN migration agency said more than 500 people had been killed and around 46,000 displaced as a result of the Houthi offensive. The United Nations had earlier reported a sharp escalation in fighting along Yemen’s western coast following the launch of the offensive on September 3.
The developments could add pressure on international trade and energy markets. They come amid severe disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had asked US President Donald Trump for military support against the Houthis, but Washington declined direct military strikes and instead offered intelligence and targeting assistance.
According to Reuters, the Houthis reached Perim Island, located directly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. An official from Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said the group had “completed the seizure of the Bab el-Mandeb area and Mayyun Island,” with fighters deployed along the coast. A military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government later confirmed to AFP that the Houthis had captured Greater and Lesser Hanish, the last two islands in the strait that had not previously been under their control.
Saree said maritime navigation remained safe for all commercial vessels except Saudi ships, which he said were already subject to a ban. However, greater control over key coastal areas and islands could strengthen the Houthis’ ability to influence shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime corridors. Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is vital for trade between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
The UN migration agency said more than 500 people had been killed and around 46,000 displaced as a result of the Houthi offensive. The United Nations had earlier reported a sharp escalation in fighting along Yemen’s western coast following the launch of the offensive on September 3.
The developments could add pressure on international trade and energy markets. They come amid severe disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had asked US President Donald Trump for military support against the Houthis, but Washington declined direct military strikes and instead offered intelligence and targeting assistance.
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