Houthis reach strategic Perim Island in Bab el-Mandeb, Yemeni sources say

Strategic Encirclement of the Strait

The arrival of Houthi forces on Perim Island (also known as Mayyun) follows a rapid and effective offensive along Yemen's western coast. Over the last 24 hours, the Iran-backed militia has dismantled the defensive lines of the Saudi-aligned Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), seizing over 2,000 square kilometers of territory. As The Zioneer reported earlier, this offensive included the capture of the historic port city of Mocha and the strategic Al-Omari military base, positioning Houthi operatives within striking distance of the world's most sensitive shipping lanes.

Perim Island is of paramount strategic importance due to its location. Situated in the heart of the Bab el-Mandeb, the island divides the strait into two channels. Control of this landmass allows a military force to monitor and potentially interdict all maritime traffic passing between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Yemeni government sources confirmed the Houthi reach early Friday, noting that Saudi-backed forces have largely retreated from these coastal positions.

Implications for Maritime Security

The Houthi consolidation of the western coast and its offshore islands represents a major shift from long-range drone and missile threats to direct territorial oversight. Analysts suggest that from these new vantage points, the Houthis—coordinated by the Iranian IRGC—can deploy short-range anti-ship missiles and fast attack craft with significantly higher efficiency. This development has already impacted global markets, with Brent crude prices surging above $105 a barrel amid fears of a prolonged maritime blockade.

For Israel, the Houthi presence at the 'Gate of Tears' poses a direct threat to the southern maritime route to the Port of Eilat. The ability of an Iranian proxy to 'lock' the strait provides Tehran with a powerful lever against regional adversaries and international trade. The Zioneer will continue to follow official updates from the regional maritime coalitions as the situation stabilizes under Houthi control.