Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on September 11, securing a strategic position in a vital global shipping route. The move follows a month-long offensive along Yemen’s western coast that killed more than 1,500 soldiers and forced Yemen’s government to acknowledge a ‘painful’ defeat, according to The Associated Press.
A former Pentagon official, Morgan Murphy, warned that the Houthis had placed themselves in a ‘kill box’—a term used to describe a vulnerable position exposed to concentrated military fire. Murphy, a retired Navy captain and former Pentagon press secretary, told Fox News Digital that the island’s capture gave the Houthis control over a critical maritime chokepoint.
Perim Island, also known as Mayun, sits in the middle of the 18-mile-wide Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The island has historically been a key maritime vantage point, previously controlled by French forces and held by the British Empire for over a century. It lies roughly 20 miles off the Horn of Africa, near Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, home to one of the largest U.S. military installations in Africa.
Murphy described Perim as a ‘volcanic rock’ with no vegetation or water, making it an inhospitable but strategically exposed position. He added that the Houthis’ presence there placed them within range of U.S. military firepower in the region, stating that the U.S. could ‘wipe them off the face of that rock pretty easily’ if ordered by the president.
Military and Geopolitical Implications
The capture of Perim Island has reshaped the balance of power in the Gulf, strengthening Iran’s influence and confronting regional states with a difficult choice: absorb economic costs or seek accommodation with Tehran, according to regional officials and analysts cited by Reuters. By securing a position overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Houthis have opened a second pressure point alongside Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil flows and trade.
Analysts argue that the Houthis’ advance is part of a broader strategy to raise oil prices, fuel inflation, and limit reliance on U.S. intervention in the region. Middle East analyst Fawaz Gerges described the capture of strategic islands near Bab el-Mandeb as a ‘game changer’, giving the Houthis greater geopolitical and geoeconomic leverage over Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, the U.S., and global trade.
Saudi Arabia had rerouted much of its crude exports through Red Sea ports after the war in Yemen effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. However, on Friday, Saudi Arabia closed a pipeline carrying oil to its Red Sea ports after it came under attack, further complicating the situation.
Regional Responses and Economic Strain
The escalation has forced Gulf states to reassess their strategies. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has urged the U.S. to take military action against the Houthis, but the Trump administration has reportedly refused to approve such strikes. The combination of economic costs and U.S. inaction has reinforced the view in some Gulf capitals that negotiations with Iran may no longer be optional but necessary for self-preservation.
Regional officials and analysts suggest that the Houthis’ control of Perim Island and their broader advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast could narrow the prospects of relying on Washington to resolve the crisis. The group’s actions are seen as part of a coordinated effort with Iran to increase pressure on Gulf states and global markets.
Historical Context and Strategic Significance
Perim Island has long been a focal point for maritime control. Its location at the southern entrance of the Red Sea makes it a critical point for shipping between Europe, Asia, and Africa. The island’s capture by the Houthis adds to concerns about the stability of one of the world’s busiest trade routes, which carries about 10% of global oil shipments and significant volumes of containerized goods.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is the fourth-busiest maritime chokepoint in the world, with an estimated 3.8 million barrels of oil passing through daily. The Houthis’ control of Perim Island could disrupt shipping lanes, increase insurance costs for vessels, and potentially trigger broader economic consequences.
Military Capabilities and Risks
While Murphy’s assessment suggests the Houthis are vulnerable to U.S. military action, the group’s recent advances demonstrate their growing capabilities. The month-long offensive that led to the capture of Perim Island involved heavy fighting, resulting in significant casualties and forcing Yemen’s internationally recognized government to retreat.
The Houthis’ ability to sustain such operations, despite international condemnation and a Saudi-led coalition intervention, underscores their resilience and the challenges facing regional and global actors in addressing the conflict in Yemen.
Next Steps and Uncertainties
The situation remains fluid, with no clear timeline for further escalation or de-escalation. Key questions include whether the U.S. will take military action against the Houthis, whether Gulf states will pursue negotiations with Iran, and how the international community will respond to the disruption of critical shipping routes.
Analysts warn that the Houthis’ control of Perim Island could lead to increased maritime security risks, including potential attacks on commercial vessels or further military confrontations in the Red Sea. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the situation escalates into a broader conflict or whether diplomatic efforts can mitigate the risks.