Strategic Seizure of Mayun Island by Iran-Backed Houthis Raises Global Shipping and Regional Security Concerns

Houthi forces have successfully taken control of the strategic island of Mayun, also known as Perim, thereby tightening their grip on the eastern coast of the Red Sea and securing a vital foothold in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The takeover was officially confirmed on Friday by a senior military official representing Yemen’s internationally recognised government alongside a Houthi official, as reported by The Associated Press news agency.

According to analysts, this military advance could reshape the ongoing conflict with Saudi-backed forces in Yemen while simultaneously providing significant strategic benefits to Iran in its broader regional confrontations. Mayun Island is a 13sq km (five square mile) volcanic island situated directly in the heart of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which serves as the narrow southern corridor at the entrance to the Red Sea. In 2021, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis previously claimed a presence on the island following reports of a UAE-linked airbase being constructed there. Although the UAE concluded its involvement in the Yemen conflict and withdrew its troops late last year, the precise status of the airbase on Mayun Island remains unclear.

By seizing the island, which divides the Bab al-Mandeb into two distinct channels, the Houthis have established a direct physical outpost in the strait. This crucial shipping lane connects to the Suez Canal at its northern end and has gained heightened importance following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the US-Israel war on Iran in March. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Yemen, Yousef Mawry, reported on Saturday that Houthi forces also control surrounding areas, including the island of Hanish and the entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, having recently seized the port city of Mocha on Thursday.

Wolfgang Pusztai, a security, policy and defence analyst, noted that the consolidation of Yemen’s Red Sea coast gives the group the genuine capability to restrict maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This development offers a distinct tactical advantage against Saudi-backed government forces, while also granting Tehran increased leverage over another vital global chokepoint. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa programme, emphasized that the move serves both domestic Houthi objectives and enhances Iran's international negotiating position.

While Houthi officials have stated that general shipping remains safe from attacks, they have enforced a blockade targeting vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed that the group will maintain its "siege for siege" strategy in response to Saudi blockades. However, past actions involving commercial shipping—such as attacks on more than 100 ships between November 2023 and mid-2025—have raised concerns, even though those operations were framed as solidarity campaigns with Palestinians in Gaza. Experts warn that the new positions could allow the Houthis to utilize shorter-range missiles rather than long-range artillery, introducing severe risks for vessels attempting to navigate the strait. Economist Javed Hassan cautioned that any additional disruptions could trigger significant inflationary shocks across global energy markets and supply chains.

Regarding the long-term prospects of holding the island, Andreas Krieg, associate professor at King’s College London, stated that success depends on the response of Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, who reportedly withdrew quickly during the Houthi advance. While the Houthis maintain a strong short-term defensive advantage due to their control of adjacent territories, defending the island against a potential amphibious assault over the long term presents notable challenges. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump remarked during a visit to Ireland that the Houthis had reached out to express a desire to avoid direct conflict with the United States and preferred to keep US forces uninvolved in the regional struggle.