Houthis seize Perim Island, tightening control of Red Sea shipping lane

Iran‑backed Houthi forces have taken control of Perim Island, a small but strategically positioned outpost at the southern entrance of the Red Sea’s Bab al‑Mandab strait. The island sits on one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, where a significant portion of global oil, container cargo and other trade passes daily between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. The seizure was reported by regional observers early this week and follows a series of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels and infrastructure in the Red Sea since late 2023.

The capture of Perim gives the Houthis a foothold that could enable them to monitor, and potentially disrupt, shipping traffic through the narrow waterway that links the Suez Canal to the Gulf of Aden. International naval forces, including U.S. and European warships operating in the area, have heightened patrols in response to the development, while diplomatic channels are reportedly being used to seek a de‑escalation. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in the region and its impact on global supply chains, prompting calls for renewed security cooperation to safeguard the vital maritime route.