Yemeni government-aligned forces announced a withdrawal on November 15 from positions near Dhubab and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, handing the Houthis unchallenged control of Perim Island and adjacent coastline after their September 2026 seizure. Brief government counteroffensives in early October temporarily reversed some gains but did not hold, leaving the Iran-backed Houthis positioned to influence Red Sea shipping lanes amid broader regional tensions. Trader consensus assigns low implied probabilities to Houthi loss of control by late 2026, reflecting the absence of sustained external military intervention or negotiated withdrawal and the priority southern forces now place on defending Aden against further Houthi pressure. No major diplomatic or electoral deadlines are scheduled to alter the immediate balance before year-end.
This market will resolve to "Yes" if Perim Island is no longer under Houthi control by the specified date, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, this market will resolve to "No". “The Houthis” refers to the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), including its governing institutions and any armed force operating under its direction or on its behalf. “Perim Island” refers to Perim (Mayyun) Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen. “No longer under the control of the Houthis” means that the Houthis no longer exercise primary military control over Perim Island, and another state, occupying force, the internationally recognized government of Yemen, or an internationally backed authority has established control over the island. Temporary raids, isolated landings, special operations, bombardment, sabotage, naval presence offshore, or temporary disruption of Houthi activity will not qualify on their own. An announcement, threat, or claim that the Houthis have lost control will not qualify without actual control being established. If control changes pursuant to a negotiated settlement, ceasefire term, surrender, or transfer agreement, this will qualify only once actual control has been established on the island. If control over Perim Island is contested, unclear, disputed, or not sufficiently established by the resolution date, this will not qualify, and the market will resolve to “No”. The primary resolution source will be official statements from the relevant governments and militaries, along with a consensus of credible reporting.