Yemen: Houthis have taken control of strategic points on the Bab el-Mandeb strait, one of the world’s key shipping lanes. Yemeni government sources reported on Friday that the Iran-backed group has captured the island of Perim, also known as Mayyun in Arabic, following their takeover of the port city of Mokha on Thursday.

According to Deutsche Welle, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces confirmed their withdrawal from Perim, and that the Houthis have also seized the mainland Red Sea coastal town of Dhubab, located south of Mokha and closer to the narrowest part of the strait. Mokha is situated 80 kilometers (50 miles) up the Red Sea coast from Bab el-Mandeb, while Perim Island is located within the strait itself.

This development raises concerns about the vulnerability of the Red Sea as a vital transport route. The Red Sea has been a critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping disruptions have occurred amid tensions between the United States and Iran, impacting global oil prices.

Houthi spokesperson Abdulsalam stated that freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and the Strait remain secure, with operations limited to specific targets. Historically, the Houthis have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

In a related incident, Saudi authorities temporarily closed the East-West oil pipeline near Riyadh and Medina following an attack. The pipeline, crucial for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, was stopped as a precaution after coming under attack, resulting in injuries. The Saudi Foreign Ministry indicated that the drones used in the attack were launched from Iraq.

Simultaneously, Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of launching air strikes on the southwestern province of Taiz. The Houthis’ Al-Masirah TV channel reported that Saudi forces conducted ten strikes on the Dhubab district in western Taiz, situated just south of Mokha.

The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government has intensified recently after a period of relative calm. The capture of Mokha marks the Iran-backed militia’s largest territorial gain since a UN-brokered truce in 2022. The Houthis control the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, along with much of the northern and western regions, while the internationally recognized government operates from Aden with support from Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s ongoing civil war has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and pushed many to the brink of famine.