Houthis seize Yemen's Red Sea coast and key shipping strait island

Houthi fighters have seized control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline and a highly strategic island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, completing a rapid military advance that has triggered retaliatory Saudi airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of civilians fleeing.

The capture of Perim island, also known as Mayun, came after forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government retreated. This followed the fall of the key port city of Mocha on Thursday.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Mocha, with the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel reporting two strikes on the local airport.

What is the strategic impact?

The advances place one of the world's most critical maritime bottlenecks firmly under Houthi control. The Bab al-Mandab strait, which divides Perim island near its narrowest point, handles about 12 per cent of global trade, connecting Asia and Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. With oil prices climbing past $100 a barrel, Western capitals fear the Houthis and their allies in Tehran could now squeeze energy shipments through both this strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

Who is involved?

The sudden retreat of government forces has sparked intense political fallout inside Yemen. Major General Tareq Saleh, leader of the National Resistance Forces that withdrew from Mocha, said the retreat was a tactical decision to regroup. However, the move has drawn fierce criticism. Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman publicly demanded that President Rashad al-Alimi dismiss Saleh and put him on trial for treason.

The United Arab Emirates, which had been building an airbase on Perim island, ended its active involvement in the conflict in January, leaving the position vulnerable.

What is the human cost?

The humanitarian cost is rising quickly. The United Nations migration agency reported on Friday that more than 46,000 people have fled the escalating conflict over the past week, with large numbers seen leaving Mocha overnight with whatever they could carry.

What happens next?

Despite the escalation, a major international intervention appears unlikely for now. British diplomatic sources said they do not expect US President Donald Trump to authorise airstrikes against Houthi positions, despite pleas from Saudi Arabia. Though Riyadh formed a 14-nation naval coalition last month to protect shipping, the alliance has yet to take visible action.

The Houthis have continued to reassure international shipping that they will not target vessels, except for Saudi Arabian oil tankers. The group struck a ceasefire deal with the US in May 2025, promising to leave American ships alone in exchange for a halt to US bombing.