Houthis Open New Front in Iran Proxy War: Will Yemeni Rebels Block Strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait?
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have opened a new front in their ongoing proxy war with Iran, threatening to block the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait. This could have catastrophic global economic implications.
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has escalated its conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies, opening a new front that could have devastating global economic consequences. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have threatened to block the Bab al-Mandeb strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.
Bab al-Mandeb is a narrow waterway located between the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. This strategic chokepoint sees an estimated 6.2 million barrels of oil pass through it every day, making it a critical global trade route.
A blockade of Bab al-Mandeb would prove disastrous for the global economy, with far-reaching implications for oil prices, international shipping, and the flow of goods worldwide. Such a move by the Houthis could cripple global supply chains and trigger a major energy crisis.
Source: Al Jazeera
