Bab el-Mandeb: The 18-Mile Gate That Controls Global Trade

Houthi forces have seized Perim Island, Mokha, and Dhubab. These locations sit at Bab el-Mandeb, a narrow waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Bab el-Mandeb means "Gate of Tears" in Arabic. The strait is only 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point. It separates Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea in East Africa. Why does this matter? Bab el-Mandeb is a chokepoint—a narrow passage that ships must use to move goods between Europe and Asia. About 12% of global trade passes through it, including oil, gas, and consumer goods. If this strait is blocked, ships must take a much longer route around Africa. This adds weeks of travel time and raises costs for everyone. The Houthis are a rebel group that controls much of northern Yemen. Their recent seizures give them more power over this critical waterway. Global markets are watching closely. Any disruption at Bab el-Mandeb could affect shipping prices, energy costs, and supply chains worldwide.