Iran-backed Houthis are strengthening their positions around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. This group has been digging trenches to defend the territories they recently captured on the shores of the Red Sea in Yemen.
Capture of the West Coast of Yemen
Last week, the Houthis captured the entire west coast of Yemen in a swift attack and took control of strategic islands. These actions give them almost unlimited access to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This waterway is one of the most important maritime transport routes in the world, accounting for about 10 percent of global maritime trade and 30 percent of global container traffic.
Read more: International Maritime Organization Warns of Attacks on Commercial Ships
Impact on Global Trade
Maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has significantly decreased since the start of Houthi attacks on ships in 2023. These attacks are interpreted as a reaction to the war in Israel and Gaza, and many shipping companies have opted for longer and more expensive routes, such as detouring around the Cape of Good Hope off the coast of South Africa, due to these threats.
Saudi Arabia, as the world's largest oil exporter, is trying to send part of its oil through the Red Sea, as it has been forced to change routes due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz because of tensions from the war with Iran.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government and its allies, including Saudi Arabia and various militia groups, are fighting the Houthis in a civil war. The Houthis, who have dominated the capital, Sana'a, and other areas for years, are now advancing. According to UN reports, nearly 100,000 people have been displaced due to these conflicts.
Read more: Collapse of Damaged Building in Gaza Claims 12 Lives · Lightning Attack: What Iran-Backed Houthis Are Doing on the Shores of the Red Sea?
