By Mohammed Ghobari, Eman Abouhassira and Yasmine GhaniaADEN/DUBAI, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, moving to tighten their grip on a vital global shipping route in the widening Middle East war.

Houthis escalate attacks from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, threatening Red Sea shipping, Bab Al Mandab and global oil routes as Riyadh vows to defend its sovereignty.

The Houthis do not control the coastal areas bordering Bab al-Mandab, but they hold the large port city of Hodeida further north.

The Houthis in Yemen are making significant strides towards seizing control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Recent clashes between Saudi-backed troops and the Houthis have become…