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Houthis Seize Strategic Island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

By Geopolitics Desk · 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-13 03:48 UTC
A narrow, deep blue water channel separating two rocky landmasses with a single small, barren volcanic island in the center
Illustration: Tradingbird

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have seized Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic move that grants them a direct vantage point to threaten global shipping lanes. While Houthi officials assert that navigation is safe for most companies, they have explicitly excluded Saudi vessels, signaling a targeted escalation against Riyadh amid the wider regional conflict.

  • According to GN auto geopolitics/middle-east, Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea explicitly declared that maritime navigation remains safe for all vessels except those belonging to Saudi Arabia, a statement released alongside the confirmation of the island's capture. This targeted exclusion highlights the group's intent to leverage their new coastal position to specifically impede Riyadh's maritime interests while claiming broader regional stability for other trade actors.

    Source: time.com

  • Yemen’s Houthi rebels have captured a key volcanic island at the entrance to the Red Sea, marking a significant territorial shift that threatens global shipping lanes and complicates Saudi Arabia’s oil export strategy.

    Source: sentinelcolorado.com
Based on reporting by sentinelcolorado.com and time.com, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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