Houthis take Control of Bab al-Mandab, new threat to global energy

Dark clouds of war appear to be gathering over the Middle East once again. On one side is the Iran US conflict. On the other is the rapid military advance of the Houthis in Yemen. Amid these two crises, the biggest concern now is one of the world’s most important waterways, the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Iran backed Houthis achieved a major territorial gain on Friday after only a few days of operations along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Saudi backed Yemeni government forces retreated after 18 hours of relentless attacks. Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and a senior Iranian official, praised the Houthis’ rapid advance along the Red Sea coast. He described the Houthi advance as an “extraordinary victory.”

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mokhber referred to the Houthis by their official name and wrote, “Congratulations to Ansarullah on this extraordinary victory.”

After capturing the country’s strategic port city of Mokha the previous day, the Houthis advanced further toward Bab al-Mandab, another “lifeline” for global energy in the Red Sea. Reports have also emerged that the Houthis have taken control of Mayyun Island. As the island is located at a highly strategic point in the strait, its control by the Houthis has raised new concerns over international shipping and energy supplies.

Bab al-Mandab is not just a sea route. It is one of the key links for trade and energy transportation between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Goods and energy supplies travel through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal toward Europe using this route. As a result, any major military tension in the area could affect global markets.

The impact of that concern is already visible in the international oil market. Amid the conflict in the Middle East and reports of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, crude oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel.

Over the past few days, missile and drone attacks have been reported in various parts of southern Saudi Arabia. International media reported that the attacks damaged energy and economic facilities and injured many people. In retaliation, Saudi Arabia carried out 32 airstrikes on Houthi positions last Wednesday.

International reports citing Yemeni, regional and Iranian sources said Iran is supporting the Houthis’ rapid advance along the Red Sea coast. Iran has publicly denied allegations that it directly directs the Houthis’ military operations. However, it has been accused of providing support through weapons, funding and military advice.

This situation has created a new strategic reality in the Middle East. On one side is the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian influence. On the other is Bab al-Mandab as the Houthis expand their control. If long term instability develops along both important waterways, pressure on global energy supplies could increase further.

Analysts fear that if the conflict around Bab al-Mandab intensifies, international vessels may have to choose longer alternative sea routes. This would increase transportation costs, travel time and insurance expenses. Ultimately, that pressure could be passed on to energy prices, freight costs and the cost of living for ordinary people.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Saudi Arabia called on the UN Security Council to take international measures to stop support for the Houthis and counter their attacks. Riyadh’s message was that along with calling for de-escalation, the supply of weapons and assistance to the Houthis must also be stopped.

Overall, the war in Yemen is no longer just an internal conflict in one country. It is now linked to Saudi Arabia’s security, Iran’s regional influence, Red Sea shipping routes and global energy markets.