Houthis forces have taken over a Red Sea island in the middle of the Bab al-Mandab shipping lane, completing their push to control the area, a local government official and eyewitnesses have told AFP.

“Boats carrying armed Houthi fighters reached Mayyun Island after government forces withdrew from it yesterday,” the official says, referring to an island also known as Perim that divides the strait into lanes.

“The Houthis have completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab area and Mayyun Island, which is located in the middle of the strait,” he has added, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

An eyewitness says gunmen were “deploying along the Bab al-Mandab shore and are driving around in military vehicles”.