Aden/Dubai: Yemen’s Houthi fighters have taken control of Perim, a strategic island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters on Friday.
The island lies on an important shipping route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its capture gives the Iran-backed Houthis greater control over one of the main sea routes used by cargo and oil ships.
The development came after Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq had attacked its East-West oil pipeline. The attack forced the pipeline to shut temporarily and added to concerns about oil supplies from the Gulf.
The 1,200-kilometre pipeline helps Saudi Arabia send oil to global markets without using the Strait of Hormuz. Ship-tracking companies and analysts said it had carried between 4 million and 5 million barrels of oil a day in recent months. This is about 4% to 5% of global oil supply.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the attack caused injuries and damaged the pipeline. Officials were checking the full extent of the damage. The ministry did not say whether oil exports had been affected.
Houthi Forces Expand
Two sources from Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said government troops had left Perim. They also said the Houthis had captured Dhubab, a coastal town on the mainland facing the island.
The Houthis captured the Red Sea port of Mocha and the Hanish islands earlier this week. Their quick advance along Yemen’s western coast has raised concerns about the safety of ships using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The strait is on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to both routes could reduce oil supplies and push prices higher.
The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supplies had fallen to their lowest level in more than 30 years. It said attacks by Houthi-linked groups on ships in the Bab el-Mandeb had contributed to the fall.
Oil prices dropped on Friday but were still expected to end the week above $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-May.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the route remained safe for all ships except Saudi vessels. The group had already announced a ban on Saudi ships.
Saudi Arabia Asks US For Help
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump at least twice on Thursday to seek military help against the Houthis, two sources told Reuters.
The United States told Riyadh that it would not take direct military action for now. It offered to help with intelligence and the identification of targets.
The White House did not comment on the reported calls. A senior US official said Washington was in regular contact with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s recognised government.
Yemeni government forces said they planned to retake areas captured by the Houthis. Iran has denied directing the group but is accused of providing it with money, weapons and military support.
