An Iran-backed militia in Yemen has issued a warning that it may close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, following renewed clashes with Saudi Arabia. The militia, known as the Houthis, have exchanged missile attacks with Saudi forces in recent days, raising concerns about a potential disruption of one of the world’s key shipping routes.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait serves as an essential alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced intermittent closures amid regional tensions. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its Red Sea port of Yanbu for oil exports, making the security of the strait vital for maintaining energy supply lines.
The tensions escalated after Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launched an airstrike on Sanaa airport, targeting the landing of an Iranian plane. This operation, reportedly supported by both Saudi Arabia and the United States, marked a significant breach of the 2022 truce that had largely kept the decade-long conflict between Saudi forces and the Houthis at bay.
In response, the Houthis fired missiles into Saudi territory, intensifying the cycle of retaliation. Mohammad al-Farah, a senior Houthi official, declared that continued Saudi attacks could prompt the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Such a move would mirror past blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, which have had substantial implications for global oil markets and maritime trade.
Saudi Arabia has been engaged in the conflict against the Houthis since 2015, leading a coalition aimed at restoring Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Despite the fragile truce established in 2022, recent hostilities highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing geopolitical struggle involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and their respective allies.
The prospect of a blockade in the Bab el-Mandeb strait could significantly disrupt the flow of goods and energy resources, reinforcing the sensitivity of the region’s maritime corridors amid escalating tensions.