Houthis Seize Key Island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait... Saudi Arabia Strikes Mocha Airport

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have been rapidly seizing areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, have captured Perim Island (Mayun Island), a strategic chokepoint in the strait, yesterday (the 11th) local time, according to AP and AFP reports.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly launching a counterattack by carrying out airstrikes on areas controlled by the Houthis.

Citing Yemeni government officials, AP and AFP reported that Yemeni government forces withdrew from Perim Island the previous day, and boats carrying armed Houthi fighters arrived at the island this morning to take control.

According to the reports, armed fighters are being deployed along the Bab el-Mandeb coastline, and some were seen moving in military vehicles.

Perim Island, also known as Mayun Island, divides the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into two channels.

AFP quoted a Yemeni government official as saying that this effectively completes the Houthis' securing of control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait region.

AP reported that a Houthi official also confirmed that Houthi rebels had entered the island.

Reuters also reported the withdrawal of government forces from Perim Island and the entry of Houthi rebels, citing multiple Yemeni government sources.

Reuters reported, citing government sources, that the Houthis also captured Dubab on the Yemeni mainland along the Red Sea coast opposite Perim Island.

The sources explained to Reuters that securing Dubab and Perim Island is crucial to dominating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The previous day, the Houthis seized the strategic port city of Mocha, located about 70 to 80 kilometers north of the strait.

Amid Iran's continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, observations are emerging that if the Houthis, considered one of Iran's proxy forces, control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it could impact global maritime logistics as well as the dynamics of the Middle East conflict.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), crude oil volume passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait reached 9.3 million barrels per day in 2023, accounting for about 12% of global maritime crude oil shipments.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has relied on the Red Sea shipping route after the Strait of Hormuz was blocked due to the Iran conflict.

In response, the Houthis have also shown moves to dispel concerns that freedom of navigation could be threatened by their seizure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Hazem al-Asad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, claimed to the UK-based Arab media outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "freedom of navigation and international trade are being maintained safely and orderly in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait."

He added, "There is no reason for the international community to worry," because "they will not face any risks from the Yemeni side."

Saudi Arabia is also reported to have launched a countermeasure against the Houthi offensive.

Houthi rebel broadcasting reported that Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the airport in Mocha.

The U.S. internet media outlet Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called U.S. President Donald Trump twice on the 10th to request airstrikes against the Houthis.

President Trump rejected the request, and the United States decided instead to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data, according to the outlet.

The Yemeni government forces also signaled that they would launch a counteroffensive this week to retake Houthi-captured areas along the Red Sea coast.

Col. Majed al-Najili, a spokesperson for the Yemeni military, urged residents not to use the road between Taiz and Mocha and to stay away from equipment used by the Houthi rebels.

Blaming Saudi Arabia for an airstrike in mid-July on the Sanaa airport in Yemen controlled by them, the Houthis declared the termination of a truce signed in 2022.

Subsequently, on July 20, citing retaliation against Saudi Arabia's siege of Yemen, they declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Following attacks on Saudi ships and oil facilities, they have recently seized strategic Red Sea strongholds such as Mocha and the Hanish Islands consecutively.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.