Houthis Seize Perim Island, Tightening Grip on Red Sea Shipping Lane

Fri Sep 11 2026 20:15:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthis have taken Perim Island at the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, extending their control over a crucial maritime route and threatening Saudi shipping.

The Houthis have reportedly captured Perim Island in the west of Yemen, consolidating their hold along the Red Sea coast after earlier seizure of Mokha. The move triggers concerns about security of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a vital conduit for global oil traffic. Saudi Arabia has pressed the US to intervene, but Washington has only offered intelligence support. The conflict has already displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices higher amid fears of maritime disruptions.

Yemen’s Houthis claim major advance on the western Red Sea coast. They seized Perim Island, situated at the mouth of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, further tightening control over a key international shipping route.

The Iran‑backed group captured the island a day after taking the strategic port city of Mokha from Saudi‑backed pro‑government forces, according to Yemeni military sources.

While the Houthis previously pledged they would not threaten international shipping, they now reiterated a threat to target vessels from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged the United States to take military action against the Houthis. President Trump has declined direct military involvement, offering intelligence and targeting support instead.

A senior Trump administration official said the administration is in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability.

Perim Island sits at the narrowest point of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a waterway increasingly important as the Strait of Hormuz has been affected by the US‑Iran conflict. Saudi Arabia relies on this route to ship oil to Asian markets.

The expanded Houthi control over the coastline has contributed to a surge in oil prices.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands displaced since the Houthi offensive began a week ago. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports at least 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen, with the figure rising hourly.

The Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government in 2015, which prompted Saudi military intervention. They now control much of Yemen, including Sanaa, and the ceasefire that held for over four years collapsed in July.