Houthi Forces Seize Strategic Island at Red Sea Entrance

Yemeni Houthi rebels have advanced their campaign by taking control of the strategically positioned Perim Island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This move follows previous captures of the port city of Mocha and several positions along the Red Sea coast.

The island holds a critical location in the Bab al-Mandab strait, which is only 19 kilometers wide. Approximately 6.2 million barrels of oil and refined products transit this route daily. Additionally, about 80 percent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for northern Europe passes through this waterway.

This advancement further escalates risks for energy markets. Saudi Arabia, which rerouted a significant portion of its oil exports to the Red Sea via its East-West pipeline after the U.S.-Iran conflict began, now sees this alternative route increasingly threatened by the Houthis' progress.

The capture of Perim also heightens the threat of a potential blockade of the Bab al-Mandab strait. Such a scenario would compel a portion of maritime traffic between Europe and Asia to detour around Africa, substantially extending transit times. This possibility is not merely theoretical, as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea had already led to a significant diversion of shipping traffic in 2024.