Houthis capture Perim Island, complete control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Iran-backed Houthi fighters advanced onto Yemen's strategic Perim Island after Yemeni government forces withdrew, giving the group control of both shipping lanes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait one day after seizing the port city of Mocha.

Why this matters. Houthi control of Bab el-Mandeb alongside Iran's blockade of Hormuz gives Tehran's allies leverage over two of the world's most critical oil choke points simultaneously, intensifying pressure on Trump to authorize direct US intervention against the Houthis.