Bab al-Mandeb Strait: Another key shipping route under threat

The Houthis have opened a new front in the Iran war by launching attacks on Israel, raising concerns about a broader regional escalation.

Analysts are now focusing on Bab al-Mandeb, a narrow strait between Yemen and the Horn of Africa that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

This strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, with around 10% of global trade passing through it, including critical oil and gas shipments from the Gulf to Europe via the Suez Canal.

Because the Houthis control territory along the strait, they have the ability to threaten or disrupt shipping traffic. Experts warn that even limited attacks on vessels could significantly impact global trade flows and energy markets.

While no full blockade has been implemented, officials and analysts say it remains a possible escalation scenario if the conflict intensifies.

Any disruption to Bab al-Mandeb could increase shipping costs, delay supply chains, and push global oil prices higher. As tensions continue to rise, the strait is becoming a central concern in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the region.