Houthis Seize Perim Island, Tighten Hold on Red Sea Shipping Route
On Sunday, Yemen’s Houthi fighters announced that they had captured Perim Island at the narrowest point of the Bab al-Mandab strait. The move gives the rebels control over a critical chokepoint that channels the bulk of global oil shipments from the Arabian Gulf to Asia.
The advance follows the Houthi capture of the port city of Mokha from Saudi‑backed forces a day earlier. Yemen’s internationally recognised government said the Houthis now control the entire western coastline, while the rebels issued a statement that maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels.
Strategic Implications
Perim sits at the heart of the Bab al-Mandab, a key artery that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. With the Strait of Hormuz closed in the Iran‑US conflict, the Red Sea has amplified importance for shipping and energy security. Houthi control over Perim now lets them monitor and potentially threaten vessels passing through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Impact on Oil and Markets
The Houthi advance has already knocked oil prices higher, with some traders citing the mounting conflict in Yemen as a direct risk to safe passage through the Red Sea. The BSE index fell 1.8% following the announcement, and analysts warned that further cluster bomb attacks in the region could see futures surge again.
International Reactions
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pressed U.S. President Donald Trump for military action against the Houthis. Trump has so far declined a direct intervention, instead offering intelligence and targeting assistance. A senior Trump administration official told the BBC that the U.S. is in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s recognised government to keep regional stability.
Humanitarian Toll
The escalation of hostilities has already displaced over 46,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration. The UN has warned that the situation in Yemen remains a severe humanitarian crisis.
