Houthis seize Bab al‑Mandeb, capture Yemen's Red Sea coast and Perim Island

On 11 September 2026 Iran‑aligned Houthi forces captured Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline, including Perim (Mayyun) and the Hanish islands, asserting control over the Bab al‑Mandeb maritime gateway. The advance raises the risk of more shipping disruptions, higher freight and insurance costs and broader energy‑market ripple effects.

Control of Perim and the Yemeni Red Sea coast gives Houthi forces a direct geographic lever over vessels transiting between the Gulf/Asia and the Suez Canal. That threat can raise war‑risk and insurance premia and lift freight costs, potentially tightening energy supplies and increasing import/transport bills for Red Sea and Suez‑dependent economies. The actual price and trade impact will depend on duration of disruption and any international naval or air responses.

Track weekly vessel transits through Bab al‑Mandeb, Saudi pipeline/Yanbu shipping status, and any international naval deployments or strikes.