The Strategic Importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

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Why in News

Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a targeted naval embargo on Saudi Arabia in the **Bab el-Mandeb Strait**, threatening to block oil tankers moving through the Red Sea.

The **Bab el-Mandeb Strait** means Gate of Tears in Arabic. It is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the **Gulf of Aden** and the **Indian Ocean**.
It acts as the southern entry point to the Suez Canal and forms part of the shortest shipping route connecting Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, the strait borders three countries: **Yemen**, **Djibouti**, and **Eritrea**.

At its narrowest point between Ras Menheli in Yemen and Ras Siyyan in Djibouti, the strait spans approximately **32 km (20 miles)**.
Volcanic **Perim (Mayun) Island** divides the passage into two separate navigation channels.
The Western Channel, known as **Dact-el-Mayun**, is **26 km (16 miles)** wide and around **200 meters (650 feet)** deep, serving as the main route for international shipping.
The Eastern Channel, known as **Bab Iskender**, is **3 km (2 miles)** wide with a shallow depth of **30 meters (100 feet)**, limiting its use to local small vessels.
Driven by monsoon winds, seasonal water currents reverse direction here, making it the primary water exchange corridor between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The region features several volcanic islands, including the **Seven Brothers (Sawabi Islands)** located near the coast of Djibouti.

This channel carries **10-12%** of global seaborne trade and nearly **10%** of global seaborne oil trade, making it the third busiest energy chokepoint after Malacca and Hormuz.
Closing this route forces vessels to detour around the **Cape of Good Hope**, adding **3,500-4,000 nautical miles** and **10-14 days** to journeys while driving up fuel, insurance, and freight costs.