The Yemeni resistance movement Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, has warned it could block the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait in support of Iran if the ongoing confrontation involving the United States and Israel escalates further.
According to reports carried by RT, a representative of the movement identified as Abed al-Sour said the group is considering measures that could restrict maritime traffic linked to Washington and Tel Aviv.
“If such a decision is taken, commercial vessels and military ships associated with the United States and Israel, including aircraft carriers, could be prevented from transiting the strait,” the representative reportedly said.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which lies between Yemen and the Horn of Africa nations of Djibouti and Eritrea, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, serving as a key passage for ships traveling to and from the Suez Canal.
Global shipping and energy supplies rely heavily on the corridor. Millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products move through the strait every day, alongside container ships transporting goods between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The route also carries shipments of liquefied natural gas, grains, manufactured goods and other essential commodities, making it a vital artery of international trade.
Security analysts warn that any disruption to shipping in the area could force vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, a much longer journey that would significantly increase transportation costs and delay deliveries.
The latest warning comes amid rising tensions across the region and follows a series of attacks on Red Sea shipping in recent months linked to the Yemeni movement. Observers say a full blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait would have far-reaching consequences for global trade and energy markets.
Military analysts also note that any attempt to close the strategic waterway would likely trigger a major international naval response aimed at keeping the route open.
