The "New Player" Behind the $100 Oil Price: How the Houthi Militants Are Perturbing the Global Energy Landscape?
Hello everyone, I'm your financial journalist. Recently, international oil prices have once again become a hot topic, with both New York and Brent crude reaching the $100 mark. Many people's first thought is, "Has another conflict in the Middle East started?" Indeed, but the protagonists this time are somewhat different—rather than the familiar Iran or Saudi Arabia, it's the Houthi militants from Yemen.
The core logic of this article is quite simple: Saudi Arabia has had one of its "backup lifelines" destroyed, and its "backdoor" to oil export has also been blocked by the Houthi militants. It's like if your front door is blocked, and you plan to use the backdoor only to find out it's also locked by your neighbor. As a result, the global energy market panicked, and oil prices naturally rose.
Below, I'll break down this news into five parts to explain the situation in plain language.
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1. Why Are Oil Prices So Sensitive to the Destruction of Saudi Arabia's Backup Route?
First, we need to understand why Saudi Arabia is in such a hurry. Saudi Arabia is a major oil exporter, and its oil is transported through two main routes:
- The main route: The Persian Gulf -> the Strait of Hormuz -> the rest of the world.
- The backup route: If something goes wrong in the Persian Gulf (for example, if it's blocked by Iran), Saudi Arabia has a pipeline that runs across the country, allowing oil to be transported to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, from where it can then be shipped to Europe via the Suez Canal or to Asia via the Strait of Mandeb.
The current dilemma is:
1. The main route is blocked: Due to tensions with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, there are concerns about the safety of this route.
2. The backup route has been destroyed: The critical backup pipeline has been bombed and closed.
3. The backdoor is blocked: Even if the pipeline is repaired, the southern exit to the Red Sea port (the Strait of Mandeb) is under control of the Houthi militants.
This creates a "double-edged sword" for Saudi Arabia's oil exports. Global buyers realize that transporting oil from Saudi Arabia is now much riskier, which naturally drives up prices. This is the core reason why oil prices exceeded $100—not because there's a shortage of oil, but because the cost of transportation has increased significantly.
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2. How Much Territory Do the Houthi Militants Control? Is the Claim of Blocking the Strait Just Bluff or Real?
The news mentions that the Houthi militants claim to have control over 5,400 square kilometers in 9 days, while media reports suggest only 2,600 square kilometers. The figures are contentious, but the key locations are clear: they have taken over the port of Zubab and the island of Perim along the Red Sea coast.
Why is Perim Important?
It's located right in the middle of the Strait of Mandeb. You can think of it as a tollbooth on a highway:
- The western part of the strait is 26 kilometers wide, while the eastern part (the main shipping route) is only 3.8 kilometers wide.
- The Houthi militants can simply deploy some artillery, rockets, or even drones on this island to easily threaten passing ships.
What Does This Mean?
The Houthi militants don't need a large navy; by controlling this strategic point, they can essentially say "no" to global shipping. They have already declared, "The Strait of Mandeb is closed to Saudi Arabia, but other countries can use it normally." This is a precise form of "targeted action"—they don't aim to attack the entire world; they just want to control the key passage.
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3. What Are the Houthi Militants' Goals: To Unify Yemen or to Influence the World?
The Houthi militants now hold the key to the Strait of Mandeb. What might they do next? The article considers two possibilities:
Option A: Use this as leverage to negotiate with Saudi Arabia for the unification of Yemen (a quicker path to power)
Yemen is currently divided into three parts:
- Houthi militants (controlling the north)
- The government supported by Saudi Arabia (recognized internationally but weak)
- The Southern Transitional Council supported by the UAE (which is on the decline)
If the Houthi militants use their control of the strait to negotiate with Saudi Arabia, saying, "Help us resolve our internal political issues, and we'll ensure the strait remains open," Saudi Arabia might compromise to maintain its oil exports. This could lead to the Houthi militants unifying Yemen and becoming a regional power, maximizing their political gains.
Option B: Follow Iran's example and use it to influence the world (high risk, high reward)
Iran has previously used the threat of blocking the Strait of Hormuz to manipulate global oil prices for political leverage. If the Houthi militants follow this path, they could transform from a local militia into a global geopolitical player:
- Benefits: A significant increase in international status, allowing them to negotiate directly with major powers.
- Disadvantages: They would make many enemies and could face large-scale military strikes, potentially losing potential cooperation from the United States and other Western countries.
The Houthi leadership is likely debating whether to pursue a steady path to unify the country or to take a more aggressive approach to global interests.
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4. Can the Label of "Terrorist Organization" Be Struck Off? Look at the Example of Jalani
Many people consider the Houthi militants to be a "terrorist organization" and see no hope for them. However, the article provides a powerful counterexample: Syeed Ali Jalani of Syria.
- In the past: Jalani's group was listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and the United States.
- Now: After the fall of the Assad regime, Jalani became the president of the transitional government. In July 2025, the United States officially removed the terrorist designation; in November, Jalani even met with Trump at the White House.
What Does This Show?
The label of "terrorist organization" is not permanent; it's a political tool. As long as you have the power to control key regions (like the Strait of Mandeb in Yemen) and show a willingness to cooperate, the United States may be willing to reconsider its stance.
The Houthi Militants' Chance:
Yemen's geographical location is even more crucial than Syria's, as it controls the Red Sea-Suez Canal route. If the Houthi militants can prove they are a "controllable force" rather than an "uncontrollable threat," they could, like Jalani, have their reputation cleared and even become a new partner for the United States in the Middle East.
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5. Trump's Rejection and the Houthi Militants' Overtures: A Complex Political Game
Finally, let's look at the most interesting aspect: the United States' attitude.
- Saudi Arabia's Request: Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia called Trump twice, asking for direct U.S. military intervention against the Houthi militants.
- Trump's Response: A clear rejection of military intervention; instead, the U.S. will provide non-combat support (such as weapons and intelligence sharing).
- Key Detail: Trump revealed that the Houthi militants contacted the U.S. on their own, stating they "do not want to be against the United States."
What's Behind This?
1. The U.S. Does Not Want to Get Involved in a Quagmire: Sending troops to fight the Houthi militants would be costly and could trigger a larger Middle East war. Trump's approach is always to prioritize U.S. interests and avoid taking big risks.
2. The Houthi Militants' Strategy: The Houthi militants are well aware that their main opponent is Saudi Arabia, not the United States. By reaching out to the U.S., they are clearly signaling, "We are targeting Saudi Arabia, but we act rationally and do not want to provoke the U.S." This is a sophisticated diplomatic move that allows them to maintain the ability to strike Saudi Arabia while avoiding becoming a direct target for the U.S.
3. The Uncertainty Around Trump's Words: While Trump's statements may not be entirely true, if the Houthi militants' overtures are genuine, it suggests they are preparing to reposition themselves as a "controllable force" rather than an uncontrollable threat.
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Summary: The Houthi Militants' Path to Change
In summary, this article highlights an important trend: the Houthi militants are transitioning from being a party in the Yemeni civil war to becoming a key factor in global energy security.
- Short-term: Oil prices will continue to fluctuate high due to the unresolved risks to Saudi Arabia's oil exports.
- Medium-term: The Houthi militants may use their control of the strait to negotiate with Saudi Arabia and seek a dominant role in Yemen's unification.
- Long-term: If the Houthi militants can establish a non-hostile relationship with the United States, they could follow Jalani's example, shed their "terrorist" label, and become a new, influential force in the Middle East.
For the general public, this means that the future of the Middle East cannot be understood solely through the lens of Iran and Saudi Arabia; we also need to pay attention to the Houthi militants, a "little player" with significant control over global energy. They are learning how to manipulate this power more strategically.