The two volcanic islands at heart of Yemen’s war and wider US-Iran conflict

Yemen's Zuqar and Perim islands are crucial for maritime security, placing them at the core of a volatile conflict. These islands sit in the Bab Al Mandeb strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and beyond. The islands have become a focal point in the ongoing battle between Yemen's government forces and Iran-backed rebels.

Perim, also known as Mayyun, is located about 4km from Yemen's mainland and 25km from Djibouti. With an area of 13 square kilometres, the island effectively divides the Bab Al Mandeb strait, granting control over the flow of vessels entering or leaving the Red Sea and those headed toward the Suez Canal. The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group, have been targeting ships in the area since October 2023, raising concerns over potential disruptions to Red Sea shipping if they seize Perim.

Zuqar, another volcanic island near Yemen's west coast, lies 32km offshore and 90km south-west of Hodeidah. Once used by Yemeni forces to monitor shipping traffic and prevent weapons smuggling, the island's strategic value has increased as the conflict escalates. Eritrea briefly captured Zuqar in 1995, but an international court later awarded it to Yemen in 1998.

The islands' strategic importance and ongoing battles between government forces and rebels highlight their significance in the Yemeni conflict and the broader US-Iranian tensions.