BAB EL-MANDEB, Yemen — Bab el-Mandeb is a fishing village in Yemen that overlooks a critical waterway known as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea. The village has gained attention due to its strategic location amid the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Saleh, a 58-year-old resident of Bab el-Mandeb, noted that despite the village's significance, it remains underdeveloped. He expressed that if the Yemeni government invested in the area, it could generate substantial revenue from the maritime traffic that passes nearby.
In January, the strait became a focal point in the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which support Yemen's internationally recognized government. The UAE ceded control of Bab el-Mandeb and the nearby island of Perim to Saudi Arabia. Recently, the Houthis, Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels, ousted government forces from the strait, gaining control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast.
The Houthis' control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is significant, as approximately 7% of global energy supplies and 12% to 15% of global shipping transit through this narrow passage. With the Houthis now in control of Perim Island, they can easily threaten maritime traffic.
A Houthi commander claimed that they could target ships crossing the strait using artillery units stationed on the island. Disruptions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could have far-reaching effects on global shipping, potentially forcing vessels to take longer routes around Africa, which could increase fuel costs and delay deliveries.
The Houthis previously sealed off the strait in 2023 to pressure Israel regarding its actions in Gaza, prompting a U.S. military response. The current situation is particularly tense as the conflict between Israel and Iran has led to increased importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for oil exports, especially for Saudi Arabia, which has been diverting crude exports through the Red Sea.
The Houthis have a history of conflict with Saudi Arabia, which began in 2015 when they took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition to counter the Houthis, but recent advances by the rebels have surprised Saudi leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed U.S. defense commitments to Saudi Arabia but did not specify the nature of support.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles fired by the Houthis and retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi positions in northern Yemen. The Houthis have stated they do not intend to attack shipping in the Red Sea, claiming their blockade is aimed solely at Saudi Arabia. However, Yemeni Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer warned that the Houthis' actions threaten global economic stability.
The Houthis are consolidating their control along Yemen's coast, establishing checkpoints and bringing in loyalists to manage the newly acquired regions. They are also benefiting from previous Emirati investments in infrastructure, including roads and airbases on Perim Island.
Despite recent setbacks, the Yemeni government has begun to regroup, but analysts warn that pushing the Houthis back will be challenging due to their advancements in military capabilities and the internal divisions within Yemeni forces.
Nabih Bulos is the Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, covering the aftermath of the Arab Spring and related conflicts in the region.