Bab al-Mandeb is the strait between Yemen and Djibouti that links the Red Sea to The Gulf of Aden. It forms the southern maritime entrance to the Red Sea route, connecting traffic from the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and Mediterranean.

Its narrow geography gives the passage lasting strategic weight. Ships using it depend on security along the Yemeni and Djiboutian shores, while vessels avoiding it must take a much longer route around Africa. Disruption can therefore affect voyage times, freight costs and the movement of oil and goods between Europe and Asia. These features make the strait a strategic chokepoint whose security affects several regions at once.

Key Issues

Red Sea blockade

The strait becomes a maritime front

On 20 July, Houthi forces declared Bab al-Mandeb closed to Saudi shipping through open radio warnings. Six vessels, including a Chinese tanker, changed course within 48 hours without a boarding, missile strike or shot being fired. For the strait, the warning made passage itself the commercial risk rather than danger to a named ship.

The risk then became physical. Houthi missiles and drones struck the Saudi tanker Encelia on 22 July. Saudi authorities confirmed a fire aboard and said the crew survived. That attack showed how control of Yemen's western shore could turn Bab al-Mandeb from a shipping route into an active battle line.

Common Questions

The strait becomes a maritime front

Why did the Houthis blockade Saudi shipping in July 2026?

Spokesman Yahya Saree framed the 20 July maritime embargo as 'an eye for an eye' retaliation for Saudi actions against Yemeni ports and Sanaa airport.Source: Lowdown reporting

Which ships were turned back from Bab al-Mandeb in July 2026?

Six vessels reversed course by 21 July, including the Chinese VLCC Xin Long Yang, after Houthi forces warned them off by open-frequency radio alone.Source: Lowdown reporting

Reference

How much global trade passes through Bab al-Mandeb?

the strait carries roughly 10% of global seaborne oil and around a quarter of the world's container traffic between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.Source: Lowdown reporting

Did the Houthis close Bab al-Mandeb in 2023 or 2024?

The Houthis did not fully close Bab al-Mandeb in 2023-25 but conducted over 100 attacks on Commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, halving transit volumes and triggering the largest naval escort operation since the Cold War. Full closure was not achieved but disruption was extensive.

Where is the Bab al-Mandeb strait?

Bab al-Mandeb is a 30km-wide strait between Yemen to the east and Djibouti and Eritrea to the west, connecting the Red Sea to The Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. It sits at Latitude 12.6°N.

What is the alternate route if Bab al-Mandeb closes?

Ships would divert via the Cape of Good Hope, adding approximately 60% to Asia-Europe journey times and roughly 10-14 days per voyage, significantly raising freight rates.

How wide is the Bab al-Mandeb strait?

The Bab al-Mandeb is approximately 30 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, between Yemen and Djibouti and Eritrea.

What happens to oil prices if Bab al-Mandeb is blocked?

Closure of Bab al-Mandeb combined with the existing Hormuz blockade would cut approximately 25% of global seaborne energy supply — a scenario without modern precedent. Markets began pricing the threat on 1 June 2026 when Brent spiked nearly 7% intraday before the Lebanon ceasefire pared the gain.Source: Lowdown Iran Conflict 2026

Has Iran blocked Bab al-Mandeb?

Yes. Iran authorised Bab al-Mandeb as a second chokepoint on 1 June 2026, and Houthi forces enforced a full maritime embargo on Saudi shipping from 20 July, turning back six vessels including the VLCC Xin Long Yang by 21 July using open-frequency radio warnings alone, without firing a shot.Source: Lowdown Iran Conflict 2026

Source Material

Bab el-Mandeb Strait chokepoint Bab el-Mandeb