By Benson Daniel
Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized control of Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, strengthening their position over one of the world’s most important maritime routes and raising fresh concerns about the movement of oil and commercial goods.
The takeover, reported on Friday, September 11, came as the Houthis rapidly advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the capture of the strategic port city of Mocha and the mainland coastal town of Dhubab, which faces Perim Island.
Perim, also known as Mayyun, sits at the heart of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The waterway provides a critical connection between Europe and Asia through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal and has become increasingly important for energy shipments seeking an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest territorial gains could give the Houthis greater leverage over maritime traffic and deepen concerns about the security of global energy supplies. The development is particularly significant for Saudi Arabia, which has relied more heavily on Red Sea routes to move crude exports after disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthi advance comes amid a wider escalation in the Middle East conflict involving Iran, the United States and their regional allies. With the Strait of Hormuz already severely disrupted, the growing Houthi presence around Bab el-Mandeb creates the possibility of pressure on another major route used to transport oil and other commodities.
Oil prices remained above $100 a barrel amid concerns over further disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies. Saudi Arabia has also faced fresh pressure after its East-West oil pipeline was shut down following a drone attack, limiting one of the kingdom’s key alternatives for moving crude to the Red Sea.
The Houthis have sought to portray their campaign as a response to Saudi actions against Yemen, while Iran has publicly praised the group’s recent advances. Tehran has also called for renewed negotiations and an end to what it described as the blockade of Yemen.
The strategic importance of Perim extends beyond the island itself. Its location gives whoever controls it a commanding position close to the narrowest part of the Bab el-Mandeb, potentially allowing greater surveillance and influence over vessels entering or leaving the Red Sea.
Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, have indicated plans to launch a counteroffensive to recover territory lost during the Houthis’ rapid coastal advance. However, divisions among anti-Houthi forces could complicate efforts to reverse the group’s gains.
The development has therefore created a new security challenge for Saudi Arabia and its allies while increasing uncertainty for international shipping companies already facing disruption across the region.
If the Houthis consolidate their control around Bab el-Mandeb, the consequences could extend well beyond Yemen, with higher shipping costs, increased insurance premiums and further pressure on global oil markets becoming possible.
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