Houthis threaten Bab el-Mandeb Strait as global shipping risks escalate

Map showing the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, escalating tensions already disrupting international shipping, Red Sea routes

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Global trade routes are facing a new threat after Yemen’s Houthi movement warned it could block the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, escalating tensions already disrupting international shipping. The development comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively constrained following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, sending shockwaves through global energy markets.

Reports indicate that the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and sections of the Red Sea coastline, are considering closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime corridor linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. The waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a key transit route between the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and Atlantic trade systems. A representative of the group said any blockade would target vessels linked to countries involved in military operations in Iran and its regional allies.

Energy analysts warn that simultaneous disruptions at both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb could significantly impact global oil and gas supplies. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital passage for shipments moving between Europe and Asia, particularly oil exports from the Middle East heading westward. Any closure would force vessels to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, adding time and cost to global shipping.

“Blocking Bab el-Mandeb would effectively choke one of the world’s most important trade arteries,” said a maritime security expert. “Combined with instability in Hormuz, the impact on energy prices and supply chains could be severe.”

The threat underscores the widening scope of the Middle East conflict, with regional actors increasingly drawn into the crisis. The Houthis, who have previously targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, are seen as key allies of Iran, raising fears of a broader disruption to international maritime security. Shipping companies are already reassessing routes and security protocols, while insurers are expected to raise premiums for vessels operating in high-risk zones.

Economists say prolonged disruption at key maritime chokepoints could fuel inflation worldwide, particularly in import-dependent regions such as Africa. Higher shipping costs, delayed cargo, and rising fuel prices are likely to ripple through supply chains, affecting everything from energy to food prices.

“Global trade depends heavily on a few strategic passages. When those are threatened simultaneously, the economic consequences can be far-reaching,” said an international trade analyst.

With tensions showing no immediate signs of easing, the risk of further escalation remains high. For now, the situation in both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb is being closely monitored by governments, shipping firms, and global markets, as the world braces for potential disruptions to critical trade routes.

Bab el-Mandeb Strait threat