Houthi forces hold Perim Island and the coastal town of Mokha along the 28-kilometer strait. Retreating forces left behind U.S.-made armored vehicles and artillery. Houthi missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping since late 2023 already pushed most carriers off the Red Sea route — traffic through the channel was running about 60% below 2023 levels before the capture.
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On Saturday, Sept. 12, Houthi forces captured Perim Island and Mokha in an 18-hour coastal offensive, securing elevated positions over a shipping lane that carries Saudi crude exports.