Yemen’s Houthi forces have seized a strategic island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, extending their control over this narrow waterway, one of the world’s key shipping routes. The Iran-backed Houthis took the volcanic island after forces loyal to the UN-supported government in Aden withdrew. This is the latest in a series of major setbacks along Yemen’s west coast in recent days, including the loss of the port city of Mocha on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, which supports and funds the official Yemeni government, launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Mocha on Friday.
The Bab al-Mandab strait connects Asia to Europe through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Perim island, also known as Mayun, splits the waterway in two near its narrowest point. The United Arab Emirates, once a Saudi ally in the anti-Houthi coalition, had been building an airbase on the island before ending its active role in the conflict in January. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab to export its oil, since Iran has been targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. About 12% of the world’s goods usually pass through the strait.
If the Houthis gain full control of shipping in the strait, combined with Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, anti-western forces would have a stronger grip on global energy shipments. Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel as fighting in Yemen has intensified. Iran praised the Houthi advances in an official statement on Friday, its first detailed comment on the renewed fighting in Yemen. Iran and the Houthis have been allies since the Houthis took power in Yemen in 2014.
British diplomatic sources said they do not currently expect Donald Trump to approve any US bombing of Houthi positions in Yemen, despite requests from Saudi Arabia. The speed of the Houthi advance and political divisions in Yemeni provinces not controlled by the Houthis have left western capitals worried that even Aden, the Yemeni government’s capital, could fall to the Houthis. The UK effectively treated Yemen as a British protectorate until 1967.
The surge in fighting over the past week has forced more than 46,000 people to flee, and “overnight, large numbers of people were reportedly seen leaving Mocha with their belongings,” the UN migration agency said on Friday.
The Houthi advance down the Red Sea coast from the port of Hodeidah also strengthens Iran’s position in trying to reach an agreement with other Gulf states on future control of the Strait of Hormuz, the main dispute between the US and Iran. Iran has reached an agreement with Oman, which shares the southern coast of the Hormuz strait, on temporary approved routes. The proposed deal is expected to be discussed at a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers in the Omani coastal city of Salalah on Monday. If the GCC agrees, the deal—including a temporary approved route for shipping largely under Iranian control—would pressure the US to lift its highly effective blockade of Iranian oil ports, which is severely damaging Iran’s economy.
The US struck a surprise ceasefire deal with the Houthis in May 2025 after the cost of a bombing campaign escalated, and the Houthis privately assured they would not attack US shipping in the Red Sea. This week, Houthi leaders continued to give similar assurances to all shipping except Saudi Arabian oil tankers. On 14 August, Saudi Arabia assembled a 14-country international naval coalition to protect freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden. The coalition, including Bahrain, Pakistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Turkey and Egypt, has so far been invisible, thoughRiyadh would argue that assembling such a coalition of the willing takes time. Recriminations are already flying over the fall of Mocha, with scrutiny falling on Maj Gen Tareq Saleh, leader of the National Resistance Forces that withdrew from the city. He said the retreat was necessary to regroup his forces. View image in fullscreen A view of the Bab al-Mandab strait from the Yemeni coast. Photograph: Khaled Ziad/AFP/Getty Images On her Facebook page, Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni Nobel peace prize winner of 2011, called on Yemen’s president, Rashad al-Alimi, to dismiss Saleh and refer him for investigation and trial on charges of conspiracy and high treason. Saudi Arabia faces a familiar dilemma: whether to negotiate a settlement with the Houthis on Yemen’s future or try to push back the heavily stretched Houthi forces. Although the Houthis act independently of Tehran’s instructions, it greatly benefits Iran for them to be fighting Saudi Arabia, since the Saudis are then more likely to pressure Washington to ease up on Iran. Western capitals are also concerned about Saudi use of western weaponry in Yemen and whether their actions comply with international humanitarian law, including whether the Saudi strikes can truly be considered self-defence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the Houthi capture of a strategic island in the Red Sea written in a natural tone
Beginner Questions
Q What just happened
A Houthi forces have taken control of a strategic island in the Red Sea This is significant because it sits right next to a major route used by oil tankers and cargo ships
Q Which island are we talking about
A Most reports focus on Zuqar Island It is located in the middle of the Red Sea near the Bab alMandab Strait
Q Who are the Houthis
A They are a political and armed group that controls a large part of Yemen including the capital Sanaa They are backed by Iran and have been fighting a civil war against the internationally recognized Yemeni government and a Saudiled coalition for years
Q Why is this island so important
A It sits near the Bab alMandab Strait a narrow waterway that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden Roughly 10 of the worlds oil and a huge amount of global trade passes through this area Whoever controls the island can monitor or threaten ships passing by
Q Why does Iran care about this
A Iran supports the Houthis as a way to expand its influence in the Middle East By helping the Houthis control this island Iran gains a strategic foothold right next to a vital shipping lane which gives it leverage against its rivals
Q Does this mean oil prices will go up
A Not immediately but it increases the risk If ships feel unsafe they might take longer routes or insurance costs will rise That can eventually lead to higher prices at the pump
Advanced Questions
Q How does controlling Zuqar Island translate into military power
A The island can be used to launch missiles drones or small boat attacks against ships It also serves as an early warning post From Zuqar the Houthis can track naval movements and target vessels with much greater accuracy than from mainland Yemen
Q What specific problems does this create for international shipping
