Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, in a rapid advance that could further tighten the group’s control over one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Two sources from the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government said its forces had withdrawn from Perim and that the Houthis had also captured the mainland Red Sea coastal town of Dhubab, which lies opposite the island.
Control of the Bab el-Mandeb could provide Iran with another strategic advantage in its ongoing conflict with the United States by threatening a second major maritime corridor after tensions around the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping.
Houthi advance threatens key shipping route
The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial route for global commercial shipping.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter and a close US ally, has increasingly relied on the Red Sea route as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have affected energy shipments.
Iran and the United States escalated attacks on Gulf shipping this week, while US President Donald Trump increased economic pressure on Tehran. Diplomatic efforts have largely stalled.
Iran confirmed on Friday that representatives from Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states would meet in Oman on Monday to resume discussions on securing commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said maritime navigation remained safe for all shipping except Saudi vessels covered by a previously announced ban.
“We will continue to enforce blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation until the aggression stops and the blockade on our people is lifted,” he said, referring to Saudi attacks on Yemen.
Smoke reported near Saudi oil pipeline
Saudi Arabia also faced a potential setback after satellite imagery verified by Reuters showed smoke on Thursday near the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline.
The pipeline is a key alternative route for Saudi crude exports when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.
There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities of an incident in the area. Saudi government officials and state oil company Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Houthis Target Red Sea Shipping as US Strikes Iran for 12th Consecutive Night
The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supply fell by 2.3 million barrels per day in August to 6 million bpd, its lowest level in more than three decades. The agency partly attributed the decline to attacks on ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb by Houthi-linked groups.
Oil prices fell on Friday but remained on course to finish the week above $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-May.
Yemeni government prepares counter-offensive
Yemeni government forces said they would seek to retake areas captured by the Houthis during their rapid advance along the Red Sea coastline.
The government said it would deploy weapons and aircraft to target Houthi fighters in strategic areas, including routes leading to the coastal city of Mocha, which the Houthis captured on Thursday along with the Red Sea islands of Hanish.
Reuters reported that the Houthi advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast was being carried out with direct guidance from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, citing Yemeni government, Iranian and regional sources.
Iran describes the Houthis as an ally but publicly denies directing their military operations, saying the group is “not a proxy.”
Saudi Arabia seeks US support
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump at least twice on Thursday to request American military assistance against the Houthis, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters.
The sources said Washington was not prepared to take direct military action at this stage but would assist Riyadh with intelligence sharing and targeting.
The White House did not directly comment on the reported calls. A senior US administration official said Washington remained in continuous communication with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government.
The latest Houthi advance adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional conflict, with developments around both the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz posing risks to global energy and shipping markets.
