Houthi fighters have captured Perim Island in Yemen. This happened after government forces withdrew according to the Associated Press.

Yemen's internationally recognized government and the Houthis both confirmed the capture. Perim Island sits in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea.

Euronews reported this advance completed the Houthis' takeover of the strait. The Houthis are an Iran-backed group fighting Yemen's government since 2014.

Perim Island divides the strait into two shipping lanes. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

It links to global markets and is key for global trade. The reported Houthi control has raised risks for ships in the area.

It also threatens to block a major Middle East oil route. CNBC and The Washington Post reported this risk.

The Financial Times reported the advance was against Saudi-backed forces. This strengthened Houthi control over the shipping route. It also disrupted energy markets according to the report.