Saudi Arabia has warned the United States that its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger wider regional disruption, including potential Houthi action at the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.
Citing officials, Washington Post reported that Saudi Arabia has warned that Iran might retaliate by closing the Bab al-Mandeb—a Red Sea chokepoint crucial for the kingdom’s remaining oil exports in response to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
So, why Bab al-Mandeb has become a point of contention, let’s find out…
What is Bab al-Mandeb
Commonly referred to as the ‘Gate of Tears’, the Bab al-Mandab strait, is a 30-km-wide strategic strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Situated between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti/Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, it is a critical chokepoint for global maritime trade.
Why it is considered as a crucial waterway
This narrow passage serves as a vital link in the Suez Canal corridor. It enables ships to travel between Europe and Asia without taking the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. According to official records, an estimated 10–12 per cent of global seaborne trade passes through this strait. Along with liquefied natural gas, fertilisers, agricultural commodities, manufacturing goods, it also carries a substantial share of global oil shipments.
In other words, while the Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, with over 20 million barrels of oil and LNG passing daily (roughly 30% of global seaborne oil), the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial secondary route, handles about 9.3 million barrels of oil daily. Together, they represent critical, high-volume energy corridors.
What happens if Iran targets it now
The blockage of Hormuz has already put the oil market on edge, any attempt to target Mandeb strait would put pressure across multiple maritime arteries at once. It will deepen the economic turmoil that is already being felt in factories, kitchens and at petrol stations around the world.
Moreover, global shipping would be forced to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding between 4,000 and 6,000 nautical miles to journeys and delaying shipments by up to 20 days, resulting in a sharp increase in freight costs, significant supply chain disruptions and heightened volatility in global energy markets.
Why is Saudi Arabia worried about Bab-al Mandeb
The strait is a vital route through which Saudi Arabia sends its oil to Asia. According to ABC News, citing data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler, Saudi Arabia has managed to get its oil exports back up to their pre-war level of about seven million barrels of oil, which are now shipped to the Saudi Arabian city of Yanbu, a port on the Red Sea, through a pipeline. The oil that reaches Yanbu then transits through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Riyadh is worried those supplies would be at risk if the Red Sea’s exit route were also closed.
Who are Houthis and how are they connected to the present crisis
Officially known as Ansar Allah or Supporters of God, Houthis are an Iran-backed Shiite militant and political movement in Yemen. They emerged in the 1990s as a revivalist movement for Yemen’s Zaidi Shia minority and currently control the capital, Sana’a, and large parts of the country.
As they are backed by Iran and have entered the Iran war by launching strikes on Israel, a move that could open a new front in the conflict, analysts fear they could take control of Bab al-Mandeb, though officially neither Iran nor Houthis have commented on whether there is a plan to block one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
It may be noted that in 2024, the Houthis had carried out attacks in the Red Sea when they targeted commercial ships.
How the closure will impact India
The possible closure of the Bab al-Mandeb may impact India’s trade with Europe and West Asia as a significant portion of India’s exports to Europe, including engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles and chemicals moves through the Suez–Red Sea corridor via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Besides, as per CRISIL Ratings 2022-23 data, Red Sea Route handles 50% of India’s exports to Europe and North Africa, plus 30% of imports from these regions. So, any disruption in the shipping route could cast a shadow on this front as well.
Did you know
The Bab al-Mandeb is called the “Gate of Tears” due to its treacherous navigation, strong currents, and frequent shipwrecks in ancient times. Another belief links it to grief from migrations and deaths when a land bridge between Africa and Arabia collapsed.
