Houthis seize Perim Island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait — YLE News
Yemen’s Houthis seized Perim Island on Monday in the narrowest part of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. This was reported by YLE News, citing sources in Yemen’s government.
More than one-tenth of global maritime cargo traffic passes through the strait, as does the route to the Suez Canal. Its importance has increased after cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz nearly came to a halt amid Iran’s war with the United States.
Control over the coast
According to AFP, the Houthis have also advanced on mainland Yemen and now control the entire Yemeni Red Sea coast. The group is supported by Iran.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said that the route through Bab el-Mandeb remains open for cargo shipping. The exception is Saudi vessels, for which the Houthis had previously imposed a blockade.
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Yemen’s and Saudi Arabia’s response
Yemeni government forces, according to Reuters, hinted at their intention to retake territories occupied by the Houthis last week. At the same time, Yemen’s government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and recognized by the international community, has so far been unable to stop the group’s offensive.
Reuters, citing two Iranian sources, reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is coordinating the Houthi offensive. According to these sources, the goal is to open a new front in the war between Iran and the United States. Publicly, Tehran does not acknowledge leading the Houthis and calls them allies.
According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia asked the United States for military assistance after Houthi attacks on Saudi targets. The U.S. side, according to the agency’s informed sources, declined direct military support but is prepared to provide intelligence and targeting information.
