Key facts
- Houthis seized Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Iraq closed its Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran.
- US forces have redirected 99 commercial vessels as of September 11.
- US asked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz to sail only at specific times for military protection.
- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman stated the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran's full control.
- Nearly 500 refugees from Yemen arrived in Djibouti's city of Obock.
The Houthi movement has asserted control over Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the strategically vital Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This development comes amid heightened regional tensions following drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. In response to these attacks, Iraq has ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precautionary measure. The Muslim World League and Bahrain have both condemned the drone strikes that targeted the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, US forces have been actively managing maritime traffic in the region, redirecting 99 commercial vessels as of September 11 as part of its naval blockade of Iran. The US has also advised tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz to adhere to specific travel times to ensure military protection, following an increase in Iranian attacks on ships during nighttime hours. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Iran's complete control. Separately, nearly 500 refugees, including women and children, have arrived in Obock, Djibouti, having fled Yemen.