Houthis Seize Perim Island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Raising Oil Export Fears
The Houthi rebels have taken control of Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic location that could give them leverage over Saudi Arabia's oil exports.
Perim Island is located about 3.5 km off Yemen's western coast and overlooks the Red Sea waterway, which connects to the Gulf of Aden. The island's capture has raised concerns about the potential disruption to global trade and oil shipments.
Saudi Arabia has depended on the Red Sea route as an alternative for crude exports after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil flows.
The Houthi's advance towards the Bab el-Mandeb comes amid ongoing tensions with Saudi Arabia, which has responded militarily to the group's attacks. The Houthis have warned that they could retaliate further if Riyadh continues its airstrikes.