Houthi Missiles Ready at Bab Al-Mandeb Strait; Ships Turn Back

Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have prepared drones and missiles for potential strikes in the Bab Al-Mandeb strait, a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The move has already caused some cargo ships to reverse course, raising fears of a new disruption to global trade. Bab Al-Mandeb, meaning "Gate of Tears" in Arabic, is a narrow 20-mile-wide passage through which nearly 10 percent of global seaborne oil passes. Unlike the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened for years, this southern route has remained relatively open—until now. The Houthi preparations signal a direct escalation. The group, which controls large parts of Yemen, has long received weapons and training from Iran. Analysts warn that if the strait is blocked, oil prices could spike and shipping lanes to Asia and Europe could be rerouted around Africa. No strikes have been reported yet, but the sight of ships turning around has alarmed the shipping industry. The Bab Al-Mandeb may soon become the world’s next maritime flashpoint.