Houthis Threaten to Close Bab al-Mandeb Strait Amid Rising Tensions

Houthis have issued a strong warning that they could shut down the strategically crucial Bab al-Mandeb Strait if peace efforts are undermined, escalating concerns over global maritime security.

The statement was delivered by Houthi leader Hussein al-Ezzi via social media on Sunday, where he cautioned that if Yemen closes the strait, “no force on Earth” would be able to reopen it.

The warning comes amid ongoing tensions involving the United States, with Donald Trump accused of disrupting peace initiatives. The Houthis urged Washington and its allies to halt policies they claim are destabilizing the region and to respect the rights of the Yemeni people.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located near Yemen’s coastline, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical gateway for global trade. It is a key transit route for oil and energy supplies moving from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, as well as for shipments heading toward Asia.

At its narrowest point, the strait is approximately 29 kilometres wide, with shipping traffic restricted to designated inbound and outbound lanes. Any disruption to this route could have far-reaching consequences for international trade and energy markets.

The latest warning adds to growing instability across key maritime chokepoints in the region, raising fears of further escalation in an already tense geopolitical environment.