Although less significant than Ormuz in terms of hydrocarbons, the Bab el-Mandeb strait constitutes a vital artery for the entire trade between Europe and Asia. Qatar has already warned that its closure or blockade will have catastrophic consequences.
The maritime route is located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. The secessionist forces are advancing in their offensive and could take control of the strait.
“The world is already suffering enough from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we cannot afford to add the closure of the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb to this equation (…). The consequences would be catastrophic. Therefore, Qatar advocates for diplomacy and dialogue“, conveyed the Qatari diplomat Ibrahim Al Hashmi.
The warning comes in the context where the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have particularly reached the Yemeni city of Dhubab and have taken control over the island of Perim, located in the middle of the strait. As a result, their ability to threaten ships sailing between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean has increased.
At first glance, Bab el-Mandeb seems less strategic than the Strait of Hormuz. However, transit through it has increased since hostilities began in the Persian Gulf. At the beginning of 2025, 3.7 million barrels per day were transported through it, while in the spring of 2026 this indicator was 5.4 million, writes g4media.ro.
Saudi Arabia primarily used its East-West pipeline to transport oil to the port of Yanbu, on the Red Sea, thus bypassing Hormuz.
The blocking of the Bab el-Mandeb strait could cause disruptions in global trade, as the route is not just an energy path. It links the Red Sea to the Suez Canal.
Oil, gas, containers, vehicles, clothing, fertilizers, cereals or electronic components travel this route between Asia and Europe. Under normal conditions, approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The proportion reaches almost 30% in the case of large container ships.
A closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait would not completely halt this traffic, unlike the Strait of Hormuz, which affects a large part of the exports from the Gulf. However, it would force ships to circumnavigate the entire African continent via the Cape of Good Hope. This detour could add approximately ten days, or even more, to a journey between Asia and Europe, while at the same time increasing fuel consumption, crew payment expenses, insurance premiums, and the number of ships required to transport an identical quantity of goods.