Houthi fighters reached the island of Perim on Friday, tightening the group's control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and raising the risk to one of the Red Sea's most important shipping chokepoints. The move came after Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces withdrew from Perim, and the Houthis now also control Dhubab on the Red Sea coast, consolidating positions that flank both sides of the strait.
Separately, the Houthis struck Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline on Thursday, hitting pumping stations along the route and triggering fires. Satellite imagery showed damage at several points on the pipeline, and the United States assessed the drones responsible originated from Iraq. Riyadh confirmed the drones were launched from Iraq and condemned the attack on the strategic crude artery that runs from the kingdom's eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has "chosen not to respond at this stage, in support of the Iraqi government's efforts." The ministry added it would take action if needed, saying it would deploy "necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and facilities." The statement also urged Iraq to take urgent steps to prevent further attacks.
The twin developments, territorial gains by the Houthis on both Perim and the nearby mainland, and a cross-border drone strike on a major Saudi pipeline, signal a widening of the conflict's operational reach beyond Yemen's borders. Control of Perim and Dhubab gives the Houthis positions close to a maritime artery used by global trade and energy shipments. Meanwhile the pipeline strikes point to a network capable of launching drones from outside Yemen, a factor that has already drawn Washington's intelligence assessment into the public record.
For now Riyadh says it is withholding a retaliatory response to allow Iraqi authorities to act, while reserving the right to defend its territory and infrastructure. The unfolding situation leaves the Bab el-Mandeb, and the security of Red Sea shipping, exposed to further disruption if military and diplomatic tensions escalate.
