Houthis Seize Red Sea Island and Port City, Escalating Regional Crisis

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has claimed a significant strategic victory in the Red Sea region, reporting that its forces have seized Perim Island and the coastal city of Mokha. The advances mark a dramatic escalation in the ongoing civil war and have intensified concerns over global shipping lanes and regional energy security.

According to sources from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, the Houthis captured Perim Island, which sits at the narrowest point of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This development follows the group’s takeover of the strategic port city of Mokha the previous day, a move confirmed by military sources. A Yemeni military official stated that these operations have resulted in Houthi control over the entire western coastline.

In a statement regarding the military operations, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea declared the campaign a success, asserting that it was launched on September 3 in response to what he described as Saudi aggression. Sarea claimed that Saudi-backed forces had been expelled from six districts in the Taiz and Hodeidah regions, with hundreds of enemy troops reportedly killed, wounded, or captured. While the group reaffirmed that maritime navigation remains safe for all vessels except those linked to Saudi Arabia, they did not explicitly mention the capture of Perim Island in their official communication.

The territorial gains have immediate economic repercussions. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry announced on Friday that it had closed its east-west oil pipeline as a precautionary measure following multiple attacks on Thursday in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The pipeline, which has become increasingly vital for transporting Saudi oil to Asian markets while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, suffered injuries among its staff during the assaults.

The strategic importance of the Red Sea has grown significantly since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed due to tensions between the United States and Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take direct military action against the Houthis during their rapid advance. However, sources indicate that Trump has declined to commit US troops, instead offering intelligence and targeting support. A senior Trump administration official confirmed to the BBC that Washington is in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government regarding regional stability.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate alongside the military escalation. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 46,000 people have been displaced since the Houthis launched their offensive in the south-west a week ago. IOM Director General Amy Pope described the situation as alarming, noting that many families are fleeing for the second or third time with few resources remaining. Since the Houthis ousted the recognized government in 2015, triggering Saudi-led coalition air strikes, the conflict has killed hundreds and displaced thousands, with a truce that held for over four years collapsing in July.