Houthis Capture Key Island Near Red Sea Shipping Lane

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, opening a new front in the Iran war and further threatening Saudi oil exports through one of the world's key shipping lanes.

The capture of Mayun, also known as Perim, was confirmed by a senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognized government and by a Houthi official. The island is located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has become increasingly important to Saudi Arabia as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis' biggest territorial gain in years comes after they seized control of the nearby port city of Mokha, which is within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the strait. The Saudi air force responded by striking the airport in Mokha, but there were no reports of damage or deaths.

The capture of Mayun has raised concerns that the Houthis will disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has already seen a 60% decline in activity since the rebels began attacking some ships in late 2023. This could further threaten Saudi oil exports and drive up world oil prices.