Houthis Seize Island, Saudi Arabia Seeks US Assistance
The situation in Yemen is heating up once again. The Houthi group is reported to have successfully taken control of Perim Island, also known as Mayyun, a strategic island situated in the middle of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, on Friday (11/09/2026).
The seizure of this territory is a major concern as Bab al-Mandab is one of the vital shipping lanes connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Amidst these developments, Saudi Arabia has reportedly requested military assistance from the United States (US) to confront the Houthi group.
An unnamed Yemeni official stated that Houthi forces entered Mayyun Island after government forces vacated the area the previous day. “Boats transporting armed Houthi fighters arrived at Mayyun Island after government forces withdrew from there yesterday,” the official told AFP.
“The Houthi group has completed the takeover of the Bab al-Mandab territory and Mayyun Island, located in the middle of the strait,” he continued.
An eyewitness also reported that armed groups have begun positioning themselves along the coast of Bab al-Mandab, where they were seen patrolling in military vehicles.
Amidst these developments, Saudi Arabia is said to have requested US assistance to face the Houthis. Reuters reported, based on three sources familiar with the matter, that the Saudi government requested military aid from US President Donald Trump on Thursday (10/09/2026).
Trump reportedly held at least two telephone conversations with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), on the same day. However, Trump did not agree to the proposal for the US to launch attacks against the Houthis.
Washington is said to have offered alternative forms of assistance to Riyadh, including the exchange of intelligence information and target identification for strikes. The White House has not provided a response regarding the reports of Trump’s conversations with MbS.
Nevertheless, a senior US government official, speaking anonymously, stated that Washington continues to communicate with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government. “The United States is focused on protecting our primary national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while empowering our regional partners to take a leading role in addressing and resolving regional security challenges,” the official said.
Saudi Arabian state media has not yet responded to reports regarding the conversations between the two leaders. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper reportedly travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to conduct talks.