{
  "id": 10487056,
  "title": "Yemen's Houthis move to control crucial waterway—our research maps the countries most at risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/yemens-houthis-move-to-control-crucial-waterway-our-research-maps-the",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T16:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-yemen-houthis-crucial-waterway-countries.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since September, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebel group in Yemen has displaced over 130,000 individuals, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in a nation already marked by domestic strife. The Houthis have taken control of the strategic port city of Mocha, the town of Dhubab, and several Red Sea islands. Their primary objective is the control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint situated between Djibouti and Yemen. This narrow passage serves as a vital shipping route, facilitating around 15% of global seaborne trade annually, valued at over US$1 trillion, including substantial oil shipments. Saudi Arabia, a key supporter of the Yemeni government, has become heavily reliant on Red Sea exports since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February, resulting in elevated global fertilizer, food, and energy costs due to oil price surges.\n\nResearch conducted in 2025 revealed that over a dozen nations rely on the Bab al-Mandab Strait for more than half of their maritime trade by value. Eritrea (87%), Djibouti (78%), Sudan (67%), South Sudan (65%), and Chad (61%) are the most dependent states. Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad all depend on the Red Sea for 54% or more of their trade by value, highlighting the economic significance of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The strait connects Europe to Asia, benefiting countries such as China (US$520 billion), India (US$243 billion), the U.S. (US$226 billion), Germany (US$208 billion), and the U.K. (US$190 billion).\n\nShould a 30-day Houthi blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait occur, economic losses could reach US$30 billion, rising to US$40 billion for a 45-day blockade. This economic fallout stems from heightened fuel costs due to rerouting, increased freight rates, and escalating insurance premiums. The Houthis have previously attacked Red Sea shipping during the 2023 crisis, which began following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza war. In response, major shipping operators opted for longer but safer routes around the southern tip of Africa, adding up to 15 days to the journey between Europe and Asia.\n\nThe recent resurgence in hostilities in Yemen has led the Houthis to threaten only ships linked to Saudi Arabia. However, the renewed conflict may prompt shipping companies to divert their vessels around Africa or avoid the Bab al-Mandab Strait altogether. Data from PortWatch, a project of the IMF and the University of Oxford, indicates that only 22 vessels transited the Bab al-Mandab Strait on September 20, compared to around 70 vessels daily before the Houthis' attacks in 2023, and around 30 vessels daily before the recent Yemeni escalation. The situation underscores the importance of maritime chokepoints for global trade and security, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions and naval deployments to maintain stability in the region.",
  "summary": "The advance of the Iran-aligned Houthi rebel group in Yemen has driven more than 130,000 people from their homes since the beginning of September, deepening the humanitarian crisis in an already poor country with a long history of domestic conflict.",
  "key_points": [
    "Houthi rebels control Mocha, Dhubab, and Red Sea islands",
    "Bab al-Mandab Strait critical for $1 trillion global trade",
    "Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, Chad most dependent nations"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}