Houthi forces have seized the strategic Yemeni coastal town of Dhu Bab and Perim Island at the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to government sources and eyewitnesses. Simultaneously, reports indicate President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to launch direct military strikes against the group.
Strategic Seizure at Bab el-Mandeb
Fighters from the Houthi movement, backed by Iran, have consolidated control over critical maritime choke points in Yemen. According to government sources and eyewitnesses, armed Houthi fighters on motorboats arrived at Perim Island—also known as Mayun Island—which splits the Bab el-Mandeb strait into two shipping channels. The deployment followed the withdrawal of government forces from the island on Thursday.
An official speaking to Reuters and Agence France-Presse on condition of anonymity stated that the Houthis completed their control over the Bab el-Mandeb area and Mayun Island located in the middle of the strait.
An eyewitness reported that militants are deploying along the Bab el-Mandeb coastline and moving around in military vehicles. The two locations secure a strategic presence for the movement at one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes. On Thursday, the Houthi humanitarian operations coordination center declared that Red Sea navigation remains safe for all shipping companies except Saudi vessels.
Military Shifting on the Western Coast
The advances at the strait follow the group’s capture of the coastal city of Mocha in Taiz Governorate on Thursday. Yemeni military sources reported that Houthi fighters also reached the Hanish Islands in the Red Sea, while government forces and their allies retreated southward along the coast toward Dhu Bab before the town fell on Friday.
Tareq Saleh, commander of the government-aligned National Resistance forces stationed on the western coast, announced that his forces relocated their command center to a secure location to reorganize their ranks, as reported by Reuters. Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on Thursday that Saudi Arabia launched 64 airstrikes on Yemen within a 24-hour period. Houthi-run media outlets reported on Friday that Saudi Arabia carried out two airstrikes on Mocha airport.
Across the border, Saudi authorities activated warning sirens in Khamis Mushait and Abha on Thursday to warn of potential threats. The Riyadh-led coalition reported that southern Saudi Arabia faced Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks, though authorities announced the danger had passed within minutes.
Washington Rejects Riyadh’s Call for Strikes
According to Axios, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held two phone calls with United States President Donald Trump on Thursday, urging him to authorize military strikes against the Houthi movement.
The report revealed that President Trump rejected the request. U.S. officials stated that the administration does not intend to launch direct military action against the Houthis at the present time.
Reporting from Axios indicates that American concerns are growing regarding the fast-escalating conflict in Yemen. The United States is working to intensify its support for Saudi Arabia while simultaneously seeking to avoid direct military involvement.
