Cairo: The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global trade and energy, is facing growing threats due to recent Houthi advances into strategic areas. This development raises alarms over maritime traffic through the strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The strait is crucial for trade between Asia and Europe, as it serves as a gateway to the Suez Canal.
According to Anadolu Agency, experts warn that the Houthi movement's control over positions near Bab el-Mandeb significantly enhances their ability to disrupt maritime activities. This situation has led to increased insurance costs for commercial vessels and has driven major shipping companies to reroute ships, affecting global shipping and energy markets. The escalation coincides with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, further threatening energy supply routes and potentially causing oil prices to surge.
Military and strategic expert Brig. Gen. Samir Ragheb highlighted that the Houthis have established a military presence in key areas around the strait, enabling them to exert significant control over the region. Despite this, Ragheb believes that national forces could eventually reclaim these strategic points, alleviating the threat to Bab el-Mandeb.
Energy expert Mamdouh Salameh noted that the dual disruption in Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a significant increase in oil prices, with severe implications for the global economy. As alternative routes come under threat, oil markets are under pressure, with Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline recently attacked and temporarily shut down.
Asim Jihad, an energy expert, emphasized the importance of Bab el-Mandeb as a critical route for oil transit, especially as flows through Hormuz have declined. He warned that disruptions in alternative routes could create a crisis in oil and gas supplies, with higher tanker rates and insurance premiums further complicating the situation.
Nasreddine Boughachiche, an expert in logistics and supply chains, outlined three potential scenarios for the future: continued escalation, a broader regional conflict, or a de-escalation and settlement. However, he noted that the first scenario seems most likely, given the complex geopolitical landscape and Iran's influence in the region.
The UN Security Council recently addressed these developments, with Saudi Arabia highlighting the shared international responsibility to protect maritime routes. As tensions rise, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains a critical point of concern for global trade and energy security.
Source: Anadolu Agency