Global trade is already in a state of chaos ever since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz following the air strikes by US and Israel on Iran. The world is seeing its worst energy crisis since 1973 after the closure of the strategically important strait. Now, Iran has hinted that they may be looking to close another maritime choke point that will hit the global energy supply chain even harder.
Bab al-Mandeb is a narrow corridor that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. About 12 per cent of global seaborne oil passes through this narrow passageway making it the world’s fourth-largest shipping route. It is located southwest of Yemen, where the Iran-backed group Houthis are based.
Now, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency has reported that the Iran-backed Houthis could also join the ongoing war against the US and Israeli forces to help Tehran take control of the Bab al-Mandeb. Houthis have previously targeted the narrow strait. Bab al-Mandeb has Yemen on one side and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side. The narrow strait is only 20 KMs wide at its choke point.
As per reports, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official said, “If the enemy wants to take action on land in the Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands or to inflict costs on Iran with naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.”
As per Tasnim News Agency, the official further said, “We will open other fronts for them as a surprise so that their action will not only be of no benefit to them but will also double their costs.”
The Strategic Importance of Bab al-Mandeb Strait
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, or “Gate of Tears,” as it is often called, is one of the most strategically important trade routes in the world. At its narrowest point, the strait is just 20 KMs wide, and 32 KMs wide at its widest point. Located between Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea, the strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and through it the Indian Ocean. It lies on the main shipping route between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, hence, it becomes absolutely critical for global trade and energy transportation.
The importance of the Bab al-Mandeb stems primarily from its geographic position. Ships traveling between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal must pass through this narrow waterway. Suez canal is the shortest maritime connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, and ships coming from Europe via Suez must pass through this narrow strait to access the huge Asian and East African markets.
The strait is particularly critical for global energy supplies. Millions of barrels of oil and petroleum products pass through it daily, linking oil producers in the Gulf with markets in Europe. Manufactured goods from Europe and oil from Saudi Arabia’s important Yanbu refinery, Rabigh, and Jeddah also passes through this strait while delivering oil and other petrochemical products to Asia, Africa and other markets.
If the strait were blocked, ships from Europe would be forced to take the much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa if they have to reach Asia, as they were forced to do before Suez canal opened.
Who Controls the Bab al-Mandeb?
No single country controls Bab al-Mandeb. Yemen on the Arabian side and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side control the coastline surrounding the strait, but the strait itself is not under a single country’s control.
The narrow width of the strait, just 20 KMs, means that if Iran, through its proxy Houthis decides to block it, or attack ships passing through it with missiles, it may succeed in disrupting the global trade at the very least.
Geographically, the Bab al-Mandeb lies between Yemen on the Arabian side and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side. These three countries technically control the coastline surrounding the strait.
Djibouti has several foreign military bases on its soil that can be used to protect this strait from falling under Iranian control so it won’t be easy for Iran to lock it down like Strait of Hormuz. However, a disruption in trade would definitely take place if Houthis attack ships passing through it.
