Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Mayun Island in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have captured Mayun Island, also referred to as Perim Island, in the Red Sea. The move was described as part of a broader effort by the group to consolidate control over the adjacent Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Mayun Island sits at a strategic point in the Red Sea close to the entrance to the Bab al-Mandeb, a narrow channel through which significant volumes of international maritime traffic pass. By taking the island, the Houthis have strengthened their physical presence in a key maritime corridor.

Alongside the territorial gain, the rebels are reported to have taken possession of US-manufactured military equipment valued at millions of dollars. The transfer of those weapons to Houthi control was highlighted in accounts of the seizure.

Observers noted the action as part of the Houthis' campaign to cement influence over the strait. The combination of territorial control and newly acquired materiel marks a notable development in the group’s positioning in the Red Sea region.