In brief
In a swift offensive, Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi insurgents reportedly took control of Perim Island at the mouth of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, consolidating their hold on the western Red Sea coast. The move comes a day after the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and follows senior Saudi and U.S. officials urging a military response. Houthi statements claim their expansion is a “success” and pose a threat to Saudi vessels, while Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented. The escalation has raised fears of disrupted shipping, higher oil prices and further humanitarian fallout, with over 46,000 Yemenis displaced so far.
Houthi Rebels Advance into the Red Sea
Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels have reportedly seized Perim Island, a strategic point at the narrowest part of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, according to a source from the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
The claim follows the Houthi capture of the port city of Mokha—an action that, according to proxy military sources, signalled the rebels’ “large‑scale” offensive that began on 3 September.
Strategic Impact on Shipping and Oil Prices
Perim Island’s location gives the rebels control over a critical maritime chokepoint that feeds the global oil supply into Asia via the Red Sea. The new takeover is feared to interfere with shipping lanes that have already been strained by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the wider US‑Iran conflict.
Following the Houthi advances, oil prices surged, with Brent crude breaching the $100 a barrel mark for the first time since July, as reported by the Energy Information Administration.
International Response and Humanitarian Toll
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to take “military action” against the Houthis, but the U.S. has limited its role to intelligence and targeting support. The Trump administration has maintained continuous dialogue with both Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government to keep regional stability on its radar.
The Houthi takeover has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The International Organization for Migration reports that at least 46,000 people have been displaced since the conflict escalated, with many families forced to flee multiple times amid growing violence.
Wider Regional Repercussions
Saudi Arabia and its coalition of Arab allies have carried out air strikes against Houthi‑controlled areas, while the Houthis have indiscriminately targeted Saudi cities and oil facilities with missiles and drones. A recent drone strike from Iraq on Saudi’s East‑West oil pipeline has further complicated the security landscape.
The escalation threatens to widen the already volatile dynamics between the U.S. and Iran, adding a new layer of uncertainty to the Gulf maritime region.
