Houthi rebels seize island in crucial shipping route as Iran terror proxy to reveal ‘large-scale military operation’

THE Houthi rebels have seized a critical island in one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The Iranian-backed terror proxy captured Perim Island in the Red Sea – before announcing plans for a “large-scale military operation”. The Houthi rebels have seized a key island in the Bab al-Mandab strait Credit: Reuters Houthi followers hold weapons during a pro-Iran demonstration in April Credit: Reuters The invasion comes amid the Houthis’ spiralling conflict with Saudi Arabia and Yemen which has reignited in recent weeks following years of relative peace. The small island separates the Bab al-Mandab strait from the Suez Canal – one of the busiest maritime shipping routes in the world that links Asia and Europe. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The trade artery’s significance is on par with the Strait of Hormuz – meaning disruption could spark weeks of global delays. Yemeni government forces have withdrawn from the island in response to the seizure, according to officials. Houthi rebels launched strikes on Saudi Arabia earlier this week Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Perim island sits at a key maritime chokepoint in the Bab al-Mandab strait Credit: Alamy The Iranian proxy group have repeatedly threatened to close off the Bab al-Mandab strait in recent days. Just yesterday they seized another strategic territory, Mokha, on the Red Sea. The Houthis say their latest move does not pose any threat to international shipping – but they have vowed to strike vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. A spokesperson on Telegram said they would be announcing plans for a “large-scale high-impact military operation” in the near future. Most read in The Sun Saudi Arabia – one of if not the world’s biggest oil exporter – relies on the Red Sea for its exports. The effective blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, caused by the US war with Iran, has forced Riyadh to divert exports through the chokepoint. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia was diverting as much at 70 per cent of its crude exports from the Gulf to its Red Sea port of Yanbu. They have used the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab strait to ship oil to Asia. But the Houthi rebels’ latest capture threatens to cut off Saudi Arabia’s oil exports significantly. Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia threatened to hit back after the Houthis pounded the state with their worst attack in years. A barrage of missiles from terror group set oil facilities ablaze and injured 73 people, including women and children. It comes after weeks of escalating clashes between Yemen’s Saudi-backed government forces and the rebels, that have completely shattered a truce in the country’s civil war. Hundreds of forces have died in recent days, with the UN estimating that at least 150,000 people have been killed since the civil war erupted in 2014. Many of those were killed in clashes around the Bab al-Mandab strait, the mouth of the vital Red Sea shipping route that leads to the Suez canal, allowing oil to flow from the Middle East to Europe. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now