Houthis Seize Strategic Mayun Island in Yemen Conflict

Houthi Forces Take Control of Mayun Island in Bab al-Mandeb Strait

A senior military official and a Houthi official have confirmed that Houthi forces have taken control of the island of Mayun, also known as Perim. The island, located in the heart of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, is approximately 13 square kilometers in size. This development marks a significant military advance for the Houthis and could potentially reshape their conflict with Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

The island’s strategic location splits the Bab al-Mandeb Strait into two channels, giving the Houthis a physical outpost in the strait. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is crucial to global shipping as it is the southern entrance to the Red Sea with the Suez Canal at its northern end. The strait has become increasingly important since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf.

The Houthis also control the areas surrounding the strait, including the island of Hanish and the entire Red Sea coastline of Yemen. Analysts note that this development gives the group a major advantage in their battle against Saudi-backed government forces, as well as benefits to their ally Iran in its broader regional struggle.

According to analysts, the seizure represents a significant military advance for the Houthis. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa programme, stated that the development serves both the Houthis’ “domestic” aims as well as Iran’s negotiating position with the US and the world.

The Houthis have said that general shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb is safe from attacks, except for vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. However, some analysts question whether this claim holds true, given the Houthis’ previous targeting of vessels with no links to Saudi Arabia.

In recent years, the Houthis have attacked over 100 commercial ships in the Red Sea between November 2023 and mid-2025. The group has stated that these attacks were against vessels linked to Israel or its allies, as part of a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera