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    Houthis Seize Perim Island, Heightening Risks in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

    Section editor: ·Low8 articles covering this·8 news sources·Updated an hour ago·MENA
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    Map highlighting Perim Island's strategic location in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and its implications for global shipping.

    Here's what it means for you.

    Increased risks to global shipping routes could lead to higher insurance premiums and oil price fluctuations.

    What happened

    On September 11, 2026, Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

    The Context

    • Strategic Importance: Perim Island acts as a critical chokepoint for maritime traffic between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, impacting global trade.
    • Military Vulnerability: Former Pentagon official Morgan Murphy warns that Houthi forces are now in a U.S. Navy "kill box," making them susceptible to concentrated military action.
    • Ongoing Tensions: The Houthis have been attacking shipping since late 2023, exacerbating regional instability amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

    The Number

    1,500+

    soldiers killed in the preceding month-long Houthi offensive, highlighting the escalating violence and its potential impact on regional security.

    Takeaway

    As tensions rise, expect ongoing monitoring of shipping lanes and potential shifts in military strategy from the U.S. and its allies.

    8 Articles
    Fox News

    Houthis enter US 'kill box' after seizing Red Sea 'cork,' former Pentagon official warns

    Houthi rebels have seized control of Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint, raising concerns from a former Pentagon official who warns that this places them within a vulnerable U.S. Navy 'kill box.'

    NPR

    Yemen's Houthis capture a Red Sea island in threat to shipping

    Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime route for global shipping and oil transport. This military advance poses a significant threat to Saudi oil exports and fol...

    BBC News

    Houthis claim major advance in Yemen and tighten grip on Red Sea shipping lane

    The Iran-backed Houthi forces have claimed a significant military advance in Yemen, reportedly seizing the strategic island of Perim and the port city of Mocha, which are critical for controlling shipping routes in the Red Sea. This escalation marks ...

    France 24 Middle East

    Iran-backed Houthis seize near control of vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane

    Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This swift military advance marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conf...

    France 24

    Iran-backed Houthis seize near control of vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane

    Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This swift military advance marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conf...

    The Wall Street Journal

    Iran-Backed Houthis Take Effective Control of Key Red Sea Chokepoint

    Iran-backed Houthi forces have effectively taken control of the strategic island of Perim and the coastal town of Mocha, tightening their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime route for global shipping and oil transport. This military ...

    The Guardian

    Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

    Yemen's Houthi forces have captured the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial maritime route for global oil shipping, following recent military offensives that included the seizure of the port city of Mocha. This developmen...

    International Business Times

    Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Make Further Gains In Yemen, Reach Key Island In The Red Sea

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels have made significant territorial gains in Yemen by capturing the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime route. This development is seen as a potential means for the Houthis to tighten their contro...

    The Arabian Post

    Houthis seize key positions around Bab al-Mandab strait

    The Houthi rebels have intensified their military operations, seizing key positions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime route. This escalation follows their recent capture of the strategic port city of Mocha and Perim Island, further...