Houthis Control Strategic Perim Island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Yemeni Houthi forces have reached the strategic island of Perim, potentially extending their blockade influence over a critical global shipping corridor.
Four sources close to the Yemeni government told Reuters on September 11 that Houthi fighters reached Perim Island this Friday. The group is aligned with Iran and operates near Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Previously, two sources stated that their forces withdrew from Perim and that Houthis captured Dhubab City on the Red Sea coast. If Houthis secure full control of the strait on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula relative to the Gulf of Oman, it could provide Iran with decisive tactical advantages during conflict with the United States. A secondary traffic corridor could be disrupted via this new position, potentially increasing global oil prices. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has relied on the Red Sea route since its conflict with Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of total world petroleum exports. Satellite imagery captured smoke near an east-west gas pipeline in Saudi Arabia Thursday, suggesting attempts to redirect oil export routes away from a choke point.
