Houthis reportedly seize Yemen island, raising Red Sea shipping risks
Houthi control near Bab el-Mandeb raises shipping and oil supply risks See how the Perim Island and Mokha advances could disrupt global trade
Iranbacked Houthi forces reportedly advanced to Yemen’s Perim Island and took the port city of Mokha, according to several news reports citing Yemeni government sources. CNBC said it could not independently confirm the reports.
The moves would strengthen Houthi control near the Bab elMandeb Strait, a critical waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Analysts say greater Houthi influence there could increase the risk of attacks on shipping and disrupt global trade.
The article also notes that the situation comes amid wider regional conflict and continued concern about oil supply routes. Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude fell on Friday, but prices remained elevated as markets weighed the threat to key energy chokepoints.