Pakistan, Sept. 11 -- Houthi fighters have seized strategic Perim Island in Yemen's Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to a Yemeni government military source. The source said the takeover occurred Friday.

The source, speaking anonymously, said Houthi forces had taken control of the island. Perim Island is also known as Mayyun in Arabic. Its location gives it major strategic importance within the waterway.

According to the military source, the takeover means the Houthis have completed their control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The development could increase concerns about security along the important maritime route.

Neither the Houthis nor the Yemeni government had officially commented on the reported takeover by 1030 GMT. The reported dev...