Mayun
Volcanic island in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, also known as Perim.
Last refreshed: 13 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why does Houthi control of Mayun island matter for Red Sea shipping?
Timeline for Mayun
Mentioned in: Yemeni troops push on Houthi-held Dhubab
Iran Conflict 2026Fell to Houthi forces and was confirmed by both sides
Iran Conflict 2026: Houthis take all of Yemen's Red Sea coastBackground
Mayun, a Yemeni volcanic island also known as Perim that divides the Bab al-Mandeb strait into two channels, fell to Houthi forces in September 2026 as part of a week-long offensive that also captured the rest of Yemen's Red Sea coastline. Both a senior officer in Yemen's internationally recognised government and a Houthi official confirmed the island's capture. Perim was a British dependency of Aden Colony from 1857 to 1967, and its position astride the strait has long made it valuable for controlling Red Sea shipping.
Why is Mayun island strategically important?
Who controls Mayun island now?
Is Mayun the same place as Perim?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 13 September 2026. Editorial standards.