\n<\/p>\n
On Friday, Yemeni pro-government forces withdrew from Perim (also known as Mayyun). <\/p>\n
Witnesses and news agencies reported that Houthi forces moved on to the island.<\/p>\n
The Houthis later issued a statement, saying that their military operation to expel Saudi-backed forces had been a “success” and that “maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels”.<\/p>\n
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the “large-scale” military operation was launched on 3 September due to Saudi Arabia’s “blatant aggression” against “our dear people”.<\/p>\n
Sarea also said the Houthis had expelled “Saudi enemy” forces from six districts in the Taiz and Hodeidah regions, claiming that hundreds of troops had been killed, wounded or captured. <\/p>\n
The Houthi statement, however, did not mention Perim Island.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the latest developments.<\/p>\n
Perim Island sits at the narrowest point of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which has become increasingly important following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – another crucial waterway – in the conflict between the US and Iran.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has been relying on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait for shipping oil to customers in Asia. <\/p>\n
The escalation of the conflict between the Houthis, Yemen’s government and Saudi Arabia has contributed to a surge in oil prices.<\/a><\/p>\n