Yemen: Escalating Tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a 24-kilometer wide waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Strategically situated at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, it plays host to approximately one-quarter of the world’s oil tanker traffic, roughly half of Europe’s and Asia’s trade, and a significant portion of international shipping between East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

The tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have been escalating for years. The 2015 Houthi takeover of Sana’a, followed by an ensuing Saudi-led coalition intervention, has set the stage for ongoing fighting between Iran-backed Houthi forces and their adversaries. Naval clashes have become increasingly frequent in the strait. In May 2020, a United Arab Emirates tanker was reportedly targeted by Yemen’s Houthis, sparking concerns about maritime security.

The hostilities have had a palpable impact on global shipping and trade. International shipping companies are compelled to take extra precautions when navigating through the strait, including rerouting ships around Cape Guardafui or employing high-tech countermeasures against mine threats. These measures have led to increased costs for cargo owners, who must absorb higher expenses for insurance premiums and security escorts. Regional economies reliant on seaborne trade – such as those of Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are also feeling the pinch.

The Houthi forces have resorted to laying naval mines in the strait, which pose significant risks to civilian shipping and exacerbate tensions between regional actors. The UAE has taken an increasingly assertive stance, utilizing high-tech surveillance equipment and deploying naval units to safeguard its interests. Other nations – including Saudi Arabia, the United States, and European powers – are also contributing to maritime security efforts in various capacities.

Diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis have been ongoing for years with limited success. International negotiations led by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen have stalled due to differences between the Houthi leadership and the Saudi-led coalition. Sanctions against the Houthis imposed by some countries aim to pressure the group into concessions but are unlikely to yield immediate results.

The conflict in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global security. Continued instability could drive a wedge between regional powers, fostering competition for influence rather than cooperation against mutual threats. The ongoing humanitarian crisis – now entering its seventh year – has displaced millions and left Yemen on the cusp of famine, exacerbating broader Middle Eastern tensions.