Bab-el-Mandeb Strait | 28 Mar 2026

Source: TOI 

Amid the escalating Crisis in West Asia, Iran has threatened to weaponize the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait alongside the Strait of Hormuz, posing a severe risk to global maritime trade and energy security if its territories are invaded. 

• Role of Non-State Actors: The Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen are geographically and militarily positioned to execute disruptions in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, effectively expanding the conflict's scope far beyond the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. 
• Bab-el-Mandeb Strait: In Arabic, it translates to the "Gate of Tears" or "Gate of Grief," historically referring to the dangers of navigating its waters. 
  • It is a narrow maritime chokepoint situated between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. 
  • It connects the Red Sea (to the northwest) to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean (to the southeast). 
• Bordering Nations: It separates Yemen (on the Asian side) from Djibouti and Eritrea (on the African side). 
• Key Islands: The strait is 20 miles (32 km) wide and is divided into two channels by Perim Island, which belongs to Yemen. 
• Economic Significance: The Red Sea to the Suez Canal via the Bab-el-Mandeb is one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes.   
  • The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is the only entry point to the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean and connects to the Suez Canal, forming a vital trade route between Asia and Europe. 
    • Bab-el-Mandeb is a key chokepoint for the movement of crude oil, petroleum products, and  liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Persian Gulf to global markets. 
  • Approximately 10-12% of global trade and nearly 30% of global container traffic passes through here. 
  • It is a crucial transit chokepoint for crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) moving from the Persian Gulf and Asia to Europe and the Americas. 
  • When this strait is threatened, global shipping companies are forced to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This adds 10 to 14 days to the journey, significantly driving up global freight rates, insurance costs, and ultimately causing inflation.