Yemeni Houthis Seize Strategic Islands, Oil Prices Surge

Yemeni Houthi rebels seized the strategic island of Perim (Mayyun) in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the island of Zuqar on Thursday, September 10. The militants fired rockets at Zuqar and landed troops from boats. The Iranian Al-Alam television channel reported the Houthi capture of the city of Dubab and the fall of the last pro-Saudi stronghold on Yemen's west coast. The Houthi Supreme Political Council described the island seizures as "purely defensive actions" and pledged not to impede international shipping, with Deputy Foreign Minister Abdel Wahid Abu-Ras assuring adherence to international obligations. The council stated that fighting ceased after militants "repelled an attack by Saudi reinforcements."

In response to these events, global crude oil prices jumped 4%, with Brent crude trading at $105 per barrel. The head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, accused Iran of escalating the conflict, emphasizing that the threat to the strait directly impacts the Suez Canal and global trade, making it an international concern. This new offensive has displaced at least 20,000 people, who are fleeing en masse to the southern city of Aden.

Earlier on September 10, Houthis captured the strategically vital Red Sea port city of Al-Mukha, according to Reuters and AFP, citing sources in the Yemeni government. Eyewitnesses reported Houthis entering the city chanting "Death to America, death to Israel." Al-Mukha is located just 80 km from Perim, the narrowest point of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Opponents of the Houthis warned that controlling Perim would allow them to mine the strait, similar to Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially blocking shipping without long-range weapons. Yemeni government forces estimate that a large-scale international naval operation would be required to dislodge them and restore safe passage.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, serving as a primary maritime route between Asia and Europe, through which approximately 12% of global trade and up to 8.7 million barrels of oil and petroleum products pass daily. Closing the strait would force ships to reroute around Africa, extending journeys by 10-14 days and increasing costs. The significance of this route has grown due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global oil. Simultaneous disruptions in both straits could severely impact the global energy market and strengthen Iran's negotiating position. For Israel, increased Houthi influence near Bab el-Mandeb poses risks to shipping in the Red Sea and the port of Eilat, potentially forcing Israeli-bound vessels from Asia to take longer, more expensive routes via the Mediterranean.

The civil war in Yemen began in 2014. A 2022 truce between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis largely held for four years until July 2026, when the conflict reignited after Saudi forces prevented an Iranian plane from landing in Houthi-controlled Sanaa. In response, the Houthis attacked Saudi airports and oil facilities and declared a "maritime blockade" of Saudi Arabia. The conflict has resulted in approximately 150,000 deaths.