The Houthis captured the isolated island – and walked straight into a death trap

The Houthi rebels captured the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a strategic chokepoint for global shipping. Military experts warn that the barren, exposed island makes the forces an easy target for airstrikes. Shortly after the takeover, the Houthis sent messages to the US stating they do not seek direct confrontation, while Saudi Arabia pressures the Americans to strike.

The Houthi rebels, operating in Yemen with Iranian backing, have captured the island of Perim, a small landmass located in a critical maritime chokepoint through which cargo ships laden with goods and oil pass from Asia to Europe. After about a month of fierce fighting against the Yemeni army, in which more than 1,500 soldiers were killed, the rebels managed to seize the strategic vantage point. Ostensibly, control of the island gives them the ability to threaten the main shipping route, but US military experts who spoke with Fox News warn that it is a deadly trap. The island is completely arid, with no trees to hide under and no sources of fresh water, and the rebels have concentrated large forces in one small, exposed location. A former senior US Navy officer described this as a deliberate entry into a "kill zone," since in the event of an aerial attack they have no way to defend themselves or escape. Immediately after the takeover, rebel representatives rushed to send urgent messages to the US in an attempt to prevent a crushing response. President Trump revealed that the Houthis made contact and made clear they do not seek confrontation. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is pressuring the Americans to exploit the situation and bomb the forces on the island. A short distance away, in Djibouti, a large US military base operates, enabling a swift strike. Iran, which funds and directs the moves, seeks to seize control points along global trade routes.