Houthi Rebels Take Control of Yemen's Western Coast and Key Red Sea Islands

Yemen's Houthi rebels have secured complete control over the entire western coast of Yemen alongside the strategic island of Perim, according to statements from Yemeni officials to The National. This development grants the group dominant authority over the Bab Al Mandeb strait, which serves as the primary entry and exit point for the Red Sea.

“They took it all,” a Yemeni security official stated, noting that the entire west and Perim Island have fallen. A second security official corroborated these reports, confirming that the Houthis additionally seized Zuqar, another vital Red Sea island. Following their capture of Mokha on Thursday, the Houthis advanced their offensive southward to take Dhubab, marking the final major town on Yemen's western coast that overlooks both the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and Perim Island, also recognized as Mayyun.