Houthis seize Dhubab and Perim Island, control Bab el-Mandeb southern access

Houthi forces have captured Dhubab and Perim Island, giving them control of the southern approach to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for ~12% of global trade and 8.1 million barrels of oil per day. This marks a significant escalation in their ability to disrupt Red Sea shipping, potentially threatening Suez Canal traffic. The claim is based on a single source and unverified, but if confirmed, it would represent a major strategic shift in regional maritime security.