According to Yemeni government sources, Houthi rebels seized the strategically critical island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Friday. Known also as Mayyun, the island was taken by armed Houthi fighters after government forces withdrew from the area.
Eyewitnesses have reported that armed men have since taken positions along the Bab al-Mandab coast and are moving around using military vehicles. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, a route whose importance has increased particularly since the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran. Control over this passage could significantly influence global commerce.
In addition to the island capture, the Houthi militia has taken control of the entire Yemeni coastline along the Red Sea. Following the capture of Mocha, the fighters advanced further south, seizing Zuqar in addition to Mayyun. As of now, the Yemeni government has not commented on launching a counteroffensive.
