Houthi forces in Yemen have taken control of the strategic island of Perim, located in the center of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Sea-news.az reports citing sources within the Yemeni government via CNN, that seizing control of Perim Island could further expand the Houthis’ ability to dominate one of the world’s most critical international shipping routes.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait handles massive volumes of cargo daily and holds immense strategic importance for global energy supplies. Meanwhile, Al Arabiya reported that Houthi forces have also captured a series of areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast stretching up to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In a public statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree noted that maritime routes surrounding Yemen remain open to all international commercial vessels, with the exception of ships linked to Saudi Arabia.
Perim Island’s unique position within the Bab el-Mandeb Strait heightens its significance both for military-strategic positioning and for international maritime trade, as the strait serves as the primary maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
