Yemen's Houthis Seize Strategic Mayun (Perim) Island in Bab al Mandeb

According to Al Jazeera, published Sunday, September 13, 2026 (22 Shahrivar 1405), Yemen's Houthi forces have seized the strategic Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island, at the mouth of the Bab al Mandeb Strait, adding to their control over the key shipping route. According to Ecoiran, published Saturday evening, September 12 (21 Shahrivar), the capture of Perim came a day after the same forces took the port of Mokha, increasing the Houthis' ability to threaten alternative routes for Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea.

Donya e Eqtesad reported the development coincided with the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East West pipeline following a drone attack on Friday, September 11 (20 Shahrivar), the kingdom's only alternative route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera also reported the Houthis seized a significant amount of US made military hardware, estimated at millions of dollars, during the advance.