Houthi Forces Seize Perim Island and Control Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Recently, the Houthi movement in Yemen launched an occupation operation on Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, formally taking control of the island after Yemeni government forces withdrew and thereby achieving comprehensive dominance over the land areas on both sides of the strait. Situated at a crucial chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Houthi forces have thus acquired a strategic stronghold overlooking one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Perim Island is located, is approximately 20 kilometers long and serves as a vital maritime corridor linking Europe and Asia for oil and gas transportation. Every day, more than one thousand vessels pass through it, carrying diverse cargo including energy supplies, containers, and fishery products. The strait is also a convergence point for maritime security between Yemen and Red Sea coastal nations such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti; any shift in control by either side could impact international shipping and regional stability.

Since the outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in 2014, the Houthis have gradually expanded their influence. After initially capturing the capital city of Sanaa, they have maintained de facto control over vast areas of the north despite ongoing airstrikes and ground operations by a Saudi-led coalition. Over the past six months, Houthi forces have frequently carried out operations to seize coastlines and islands, successively capturing key points such as Aden and Mulqi. The occupation of Perim Island is regarded as the final piece of their maritime strategy, intended to use the strait as a barrier to restrict maritime resupply and military intervention by the coalition.

The international community has expressed deep concern over this development. The U.S. Navy has deployed additional vessels to patrol the waters, warning the Houthis not to obstruct commercial shipping. Meanwhile, the European Union's Maritime Security Committee has called on all relevant parties to keep the waterways open and avoid oil price fluctuations driven by escalating conflicts. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have accused the Houthis of "provoking" international trade and stated they will strengthen maritime defenses. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council is discussing whether to dispatch a naval observer mission to monitor the situation.

For Taiwan, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital route for importing Middle Eastern crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Should the Houthis impose a maritime blockade or launch attacks after taking control of Perim Island, it could lead to volatile oil prices and further impact Taiwan's energy costs and supply security. Furthermore, this incident demonstrates that small, non-state armed groups can leverage geographic chokepoints to exert strategic pressure, serving as a reminder that Taiwan must continue to strengthen intelligence sharing and multilateral cooperation regarding maritime defense and international shipping lane security to mitigate the impact of similar risks on national interests.