Why Iran-backed Houthi militants are pushing towards Bab Al Mandab as Hormuz disruption raises stakes

As the United States grapples with maintaining oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, another vital energy passageway is facing mounting pressure from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants. The Houthi forces are advancing towards the Bab al-Mandab, the narrow strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. This development could significantly impact the shipping route, which has gained considerable importance due to the US-Iran conflict.

At least 81 fighters have been killed in recent clashes, following the Houthi launch of ground assaults alongside rocket and drone attacks against Yemeni government forces near the Red Sea coast. However, the implications of this conflict extend far beyond Yemen. The Bab al-Mandab serves as a strategic gateway linking the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea, ultimately connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Its strategic significance has intensified as the US-Iran war has disrupted normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia now relies on the Red Sea route to reach Europe, making the Houthis' push towards this territory particularly concerning. The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab cannot be overstated. Ships utilizing the Suez Canal to travel between Asia and Europe must pass through this strait, and the alternative route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope is considerably longer.

The strait's narrow width of approximately 30 kilometers makes it particularly vulnerable to conflict or disruptions. The Houthi threat looms large, as they already hold the port city of Hodeida and have attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Their latest offensive towards Mokha and the high ground near the Bab al-Mandab could enhance their ability to threaten this critical shipping route.

The broader consequences of any significant disruption could reverberate across global energy supplies and Asia-Europe trade, potentially compelling more vessels to take the longer route around Africa. The offensive aims to cut supply routes to the government-controlled port city of Mokha and advance towards areas near the Bab al-Mandab.

Reports indicate intense fighting around western Taiz, with the Houthis attempting to seize control of elevated positions overlooking government forces. Yemeni military officials believe the Houthi moves are aimed at reaching Mokha, located less than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Bab al-Mandab. While the Houthi forces downplay the scale of the offensive, describing it as "nothing more than skirmishes and clashes," the government has bolstered its defenses by sending reinforcements from Aden to Taiz.

As alternative shipping routes face mounting pressure, the strategic significance of the Bab al-Mandab cannot be ignored. Even as the US attempts to restore oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and maintain naval escorts, the intensifying fighting around the Bab al-Mandab adds another layer of complexity to an already precarious situation.

The Houthis' actions have the potential to plunge Yemen back into full-scale conflict, reminiscent of the years preceding the Saudi-led intervention in 2015. As the situation unfolds, the stakes for Saudi Arabia and global shipping remain high, with the fate of these critical energy passageways hanging in the balance.