Houthis seize Perim Island, control entire Bab al-Mandab

Amid ongoing tension and conflict in the Middle East, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have secured full control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critically important Red Sea shipping route. After government forces withdrew, armed Houthi fighters seized the strategically vital Perim Island (also known as Mayyun Island), located in the middle of the strait. International media outlets, including Euronews, confirmed the news on Friday, September 11.

According to local administrative officials and eyewitnesses, armed Houthi fighters arrived at Perim Island by boat shortly after government forces abandoned it, taking full control of the area. As a result, control of this key waterway — vital for international maritime trade and energy transport — has now passed entirely into Houthi hands.

Perim Island divides the Bab al-Mandeb Strait into two main shipping lanes and serves as a major gateway for trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. According to analysts, Houthi dominance over Bab al-Mandeb — coming after Iran’s tightened grip on the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf — could trigger a severe collapse in global trade. It is estimated that roughly one-third of the world’s maritime trade is now at risk of direct or indirect control by hostile forces.

Immediately after the incident, international prices of crude oil and diesel jumped sharply. The Houthis’ sudden takeover has created serious uncertainty for oil tankers passing through the Red Sea, raising the risk of significant inflation in the global economy.

Notably, the internationally recognized Yemeni government has strongly condemned the incident and called on the international community to take swift action to secure the safety of the waterway. Source: Al Jazeera.