Houthis Seize Red Sea Island as Saudi Pipeline Shuts Down Following Drone Attacks
Yemen's Houthi rebels captured the island of Mayun (also referred to as Perim) at the entrance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint through which roughly 12% of the world's goods are shipped. Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West oil pipeline, also known as Petroline, as a precautionary measure after it was targeted in drone attacks that injured several people. The pipeline, stretching approximately 750 miles, carries crude oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The seizure of Mayun island was confirmed by a senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognized government and a Houthi official, both speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists, according to NPR. The Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, issued a statement saying "maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels," though market observers described the situation as volatile.
Saudi Arabia attributed the pipeline attacks to drones launched from Iraq, where Iran-backed militias operate. The Iraqi government separately said Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation and dismissed the operations commander in Maysan province after authorities determined that attacks on Saudi Arabia were launched from a site there. Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port at the pipeline's terminus had more than doubled since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, according to the International Energy Agency, as cited by NPR.
Speaking to reporters while visiting Ireland, President Trump said he did not intend to enter into a conflict with the Houthis. "We have had discussions. The Houthis called us, and they don't want to fight with us," Trump said, according to the Washington Examiner. He also said he believed Iran was "probably" responsible for the pipeline attacks, adding that Iran is "on the balls of their feet right now." Trump said he expected the broader war with Iran to end "very soon after the midterms" and predicted energy prices would "come tumbling down" once it does.