Another crucial strait that could strangle the global economy

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, facilitating essential trade between Europe and Asia. Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa, highlights that while the strait handles less oil than the Strait of Hormuz, its closure would cause severe global economic disruption due to the diversity of goods transiting through it. Although the Houthi militia in Yemen possesses the capability to block the route using missiles and drones, they currently exercise caution to avoid intense military retaliation from the U.S. and Israel. The Houthis maintain a complex, ideologically aligned relationship with Iran, acting as a key member of the "Axis of Resistance" while retaining autonomous decision-making power regarding their involvement in regional conflicts.