West Asia conflict LIVE: Houthis take over key Red Sea island to control Bab al-Mandeb strait
Hundreds of people have died since the Iran-backed Houthis launched an offensive around Bab al-Mandab, a vital artery for Saudi oil exports
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Context
Yemen's Houthi rebels have seized control of Mayyun Island (also known as Perim), located in the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea. This takeover follows the withdrawal of Yemeni government forces and significantly enhances the Houthis' ability to control or disrupt shipping through this critical global maritime chokepoint.
UPSC Perspectives
Geographical
The Bab al-Mandeb strait is a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. It serves as the southern gateway to the , making it one of the world's most important shipping lanes for both commercial goods and energy supplies. Mayyun Island (Perim) physically divides the strait into two channels, making its control strategically vital for monitoring and influencing maritime traffic. The takeover by the Houthis gives them a significant vantage point to potentially disrupt shipping, increasing the strategic vulnerability of this route. UPSC often tests knowledge of such strategic locations, bordering countries, and their significance in global trade networks, particularly in Map-based questions in Prelims.
Geopolitics
The Houthi takeover of Mayyun Island escalates the ongoing conflict in Yemen and has broader implications for regional security in West Asia. The Houthis, widely understood to be backed by , have used their position to target commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, framing these actions as support for Palestinians in the context of the Gaza conflict. This control over a key chokepoint enhances their asymmetric warfare capabilities against adversaries like and the , who have significant interests in maintaining open sea lanes. This development forces a reassessment of maritime security strategies in the region and highlights the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern conflicts, where local actors leverage strategic geography to exert regional and global influence.
Economic
The disruption or threatened disruption of shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait has immediate and significant global economic consequences. A substantial portion of global maritime trade, including a significant percentage of seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), passes through this route. Increased risks in the Red Sea lead to higher insurance premiums for shipping companies. Many major shipping firms have already opted to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), significantly increasing transit times and fuel costs. This can lead to supply chain disruptions and contribute to global inflation, directly impacting countries heavily reliant on these trade routes, including , which relies on the route for trade with Europe and the Americas.