West Asia conflict highlights: Yemen's Houthis reach strategic island at mouth of Bab al-Mandeb
2-minute summary
The conflict in West Asia has intensified as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants (Ansar Allah) captured the strategic island of Perim (Mayyun) and the mainland coastal town of Dhubab at the mouth of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This advance followed the withdrawal of forces belonging to the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government. The Houthis also seized the coastal city of Mocha and the Hanish Islands. This territorial expansion threatens to disrupt the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital maritime chokepoint for global trade and Saudi oil exports. If the Houthis secure full control, it would grant Iran significant leverage over two critical maritime corridors—the Bab al-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz—potentially causing global oil prices to surge and disrupting international shipping. In response, Yemen's government has threatened a counter-offensive, while Iran has proposed a meeting of Gulf states in Oman to discuss maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it's in the news
Yemen's Houthi rebels have seized control of the strategic Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the coastal town of Dhubab. This development threatens to disrupt global shipping lanes and escalate geopolitical tensions between the US-Saudi axis and Iran.
Background and context
The civil war in Yemen began in late 2014 when the Houthi movement, a Shia insurgent group backed by Iran, seized the capital, Sana'a. This prompted a military intervention in 2015 by a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government. A fragile UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted active hostilities, but the conflict has remained unresolved. The Bab al-Mandeb strait, meaning 'Gate of Tears' in Arabic, is a narrow chokepoint between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Approximately 10% of global seaborne petroleum passes through this strait. Perim Island, situated directly in the strait, splits the channel into two, making it a highly prized strategic asset for controlling maritime traffic entering or exiting the Red Sea.
International organisations
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — Monitors the Yemen conflict, enforces arms embargoes on the Houthis under various resolutions (such as Resolution 2216), and attempts to mediate peace talks.
Mains practice: Analyze the strategic and economic implications of the escalating conflict in the Bab al-Mandeb strait on global trade, with a special focus on India's energy and maritime security interests.
The recent capture of Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb strait by Houthi forces highlights the vulnerability of global maritime chokepoints. As the gateway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, any disruption here has cascading global and domestic consequences.
### Global Strategic and Economic Implications
• **Disruption of Global Supply Chains:** The Bab al-Mandeb is a vital artery for trade between Asia and Europe. Blockades or security threats force shipping companies to bypass the Suez Canal, rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds 10-14 days to transit times.
• **Spike in Freight and Insurance Costs:** Longer routes increase fuel consumption, while heightened risk in the Red Sea leads to exponential increases in maritime insurance premiums.
• **Energy Market Volatility:** As a primary conduit for Middle Eastern oil and LNG exports to Europe, disruptions trigger immediate spikes in global crude prices.
### Specific Implications for India
• **Energy Security Vulnerability:** India imports over 80% of its crude oil. Rising global oil prices strain India's current account deficit (CAD) and fuel domestic inflation.
• **Impact on Export Competitiveness:** India's trade with Europe and the US East Coast heavily relies on the Suez route. Increased freight rates and delayed shipments hurt Indian exporters of textiles, chemicals, and agricultural products.
• **Maritime Security Challenges:** The Indian Navy must deploy resources for anti-piracy and escort operations (such as Operation Sankalp) to protect Indian-flagged merchant vessels, stretching maritime security assets.
### Conclusion
The crisis underscores the need for robust multilateral maritime security frameworks. India must strengthen its strategic partnerships in the western Indian Ocean, diversify its energy import sources, and actively support diplomatic resolutions to ensure the freedom of navigation in global commons.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. Consider the following geographical pairs: 1. Bab al-Mandeb Strait: Connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden 2. Strait of Hormuz: Connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman 3. Perim Island: Situated in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. All three statements are geographically correct. The Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Perim Island (also known as Mayyun) is a strategic volcanic island located in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Q2. The strategic island of Perim, recently in the news due to geopolitical conflict, belongs to which of the following countries?
- Yemen
- Saudi Arabia
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
Answer: A. Perim Island (Mayyun) is a strategic island located in the Bab al-Mandeb strait and belongs to Yemen.
Q3. Which of the following bodies of water does NOT border the Arabian Peninsula?
- Red Sea
- Persian Gulf
- Black Sea
- Gulf of Aden
Answer: C. The Arabian Peninsula is bordered by the Red Sea to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southeast, and the Persian Gulf to the northeast. The Black Sea is located much further north, bordered by Europe and Anatolia.
Revision flashcards
- What water bodies are connected by the Bab al-Mandeb Strait? The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (leading into the Indian Ocean).
- Where is Perim Island (Mayyun) located and why is it strategic? It is located in the Bab al-Mandeb strait (Yemen). It is strategic because it splits the strait into two channels, allowing whoever controls it to monitor or block maritime traffic entering the Red Sea.
- What water bodies are connected by the Strait of Hormuz? The Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
- Who are the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in the Yemen conflict? An Iran-aligned Zaydi Shia militant group that seized control of northern Yemen, including the capital Sana'a, triggering a civil war in 2014-15.
- What is the name of the Indian Navy's maritime security operation in the Gulf region? Operation Sankalp, launched to ensure the safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf region.