Mayun Island

Mayun Island Latest News

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels recently captured the strategic island of Mayun in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea.

About Mayun Island

• Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island, is a small volcanic island belonging to Yemen, located in the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. 
• Although rocky and just 13 sq.km. in area, the volcanic island rises as high as 65 m and overlooks the strait near its narrowest point, about 26 km wide. 
• Perim Island actually splits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into two smaller channels. 
• The importance of the small island grew with the advent of the Suez Canal, which connected the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea through the Red Sea and allowed global shipping routes to bypass the lengthy route around Africa.  
• As steps were taken to begin the construction of the canal, the British seized the island in 1857 and established a coaling station, which later went bankrupt in 1935. 
• For many years, from 1857 to 1967, Perim Island was part of the British Empire. 
• Perim Island became part of independent Yemen (Aden) in 1967. 
• The Bab el-Mandeb Strait became a vital chokepoint along the new route, and Perim Island’s position within the strait gave its occupier command over the eastern channel and a measure of control over its western channel. 
• It has a deep and large natural harbor on its southwestern side and a military airfield in the north.

News: NOA

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