Sana’a : Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces have taken control of Perim Island, also known as Mayun, in the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces withdrew, marking a significant shift in control of the key maritime corridor.
The development followed the Houthi capture of Mokha port and other positions along Yemen’s western coast in a rapid offensive that has brought the group closer to dominating the approaches to the Red Sea.
Videos circulating online showed Houthi fighters displaying military vehicles, weapons and other equipment reportedly abandoned by retreating government forces. The authenticity of some footage could not be independently verified.
The seizure of Perim, which sits at the narrow entrance between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, has heightened concerns over international shipping and energy supplies. The development also comes as Saudi Arabia faces mounting pressure on its oil infrastructure and maritime export routes.