Houthi forces have taken control of Mayun Island, also known as Perim, in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to officials from Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthi movement. The takeover gives the group a strategic foothold at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The seizure could strengthen the Houthis’ position against Saudi-backed government forces and increase pressure on maritime traffic, but analysts say maintaining control of the island would be difficult in the long term, particularly against a possible amphibious assault.
A strategic position in the Bab al-Mandeb
Mayun sits in the centre of the narrow strait connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis also control the surrounding areas, including Hanish Island and Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline, while their forces seized the port city of Mocha on Thursday. Read the context: Houthi forces say they have seized Mocha as Yemen fighting widens.
The island’s status became more important after the Saudi-led coalition said in 2021 that it had a presence there, following reports of a UAE-linked airbase. The United Arab Emirates ended its involvement in the Yemen conflict at the end of last year, but the current status of the airbase remains unclear.
Key points
- Mayun is a 13sq km volcanic island that divides the Bab al-Mandeb into two channels.
- The island is near the Red Sea’s main maritime route between the Bab al-Mandeb and the Suez Canal.
- The Houthis say general shipping is safe, except for vessels linked to Saudi Arabia, which they say they will blockade.
- The group has previously attacked more than 100 commercial ships in the Red Sea between November 2023 and mid-2025.
What the takeover could mean for shipping
Security analyst Wolfgang Pusztai said control of the island and the wider Red Sea coast gives the Houthis the capability to shut down maritime traffic through the strait if they choose. He said the position could allow the group to use shorter-range missiles against passing ships rather than long-range artillery.
The Houthis have described their current policy as a “siege for siege” and “escalation for escalation” strategy against Saudi Arabia. However, vessels without clear links to Saudi Arabia were previously targeted, despite the group saying its Red Sea campaign was aimed at ships connected to Israel or its allies.
Economist Javed Hassan said renewed disruption could raise war-risk insurance and charter rates before cargoes are formally interrupted, affecting oil, container shipping, dry bulk and the wider cost of traded goods.
Why holding Mayun may be difficult
The Houthis are in a strong short-term position because they control the territory around the island, according to Andreas Krieg of King’s College London. He said a government effort to retake Mayun would depend on how much support Saudi-backed forces commit after reportedly withdrawing quickly during the advance. Related coverage: Yemen’s government forces open counteroffensive against Houthis.
Krieg also said the island would be difficult to defend against an amphibious assault over the long term, although such an operation would carry high risks. He identified control of the mainland’s coastal areas and hinterland as central to the Houthis’ ability to retain the position.
Farea Al-Muslimi of Chatham House attributed the rapid advance to weak coordination and armament among government forces, alongside a long-term Houthi military build-up.
What happens next
The immediate contest will depend on whether Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces attempt to recapture Mayun and how effectively the Houthis consolidate control of the surrounding mainland coast.
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