Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have captured Mayun Island, also known as Perim, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The strategic island lies in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The takeover was confirmed by officials from Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthis.
The development comes a day after Houthi forces captured the nearby port city of Mokha. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes on Mokha’s airport, although there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The latest Houthi advances mark a significant escalation in the region and could further complicate Saudi Arabia’s efforts to move oil through the Red Sea as tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz.
The capture of Mayun has raised concerns over global shipping and energy supplies, as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s key trade routes, with about 12% of global goods typically passing through it. Any prolonged disruption could force ships to take longer alternative routes, increasing travel times, freight costs and pressure on global oil markets.