The Houthis have seized Perim Island near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Yemeni Houthis have taken control of Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is crucial for global maritime oil shipments. Four sources within the Yemeni government reported this to Reuters.
Prior to this, two sources within the internationally recognized Yemeni government stated that their forces had withdrawn from the island. At the same time, the Houthis also seized the city of Dubab on the Red Sea coast—opposite Perim.
Control over Perim and the surrounding coastline potentially strengthens the Houthis’ position in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. An important trade route passes through the strait, so further escalation could reduce shipping volumes and trigger another spike in oil prices.
Yemeni government forces have announced their intention to retake the territories the Houthis seized along the Red Sea coast this week. To do so, they plan to deploy ground forces and air power.
According to Reuters, the Houthis’ advance along the coast is taking place under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran, according to Yemeni, Iranian, and regional sources, is seeking to open a new front in the war with the United States. At the same time, Tehran publicly denies issuing military orders to the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia has already carried out strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. According to Axios, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Donald Trump twice and urged the U.S. to attack the group. However, the U.S. president refused, and officials from his administration stated that Washington currently has no plans for a direct military operation against the Houthis.
Source: Reuters.
The Yemeni Houthis said that on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia carried out more than 40 airstrikes in several regions of Yemen, including the provinces of Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeidah.
On Sunday, the Houthi group announced that it had used ballistic missiles against vehicles linked to Saudi Arabia.
