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News: The Houthis have captured Mokha port and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over this vital shipping route.
About Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Location:
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait lies at the southern tip of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
- It lies between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.
- Connectivity: It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
- Channels Structure
- The strait is about 30 km wide.
- It is divided into two channels by Perim Island.
- The eastern channel is called Alexander’s Strait, while the western channel is the Dact-el-Mayun Channel.
- Key Features of Bab el-Mandeb Strait:
- Known as: It is also known as the “Gate of Tears”, referring to the large number of shipwrecks that have occurred in this region.
- Global trade route: It is a crucial link in the trade route connecting the Mediterranean to Asia.
- Alternative to Hormuz: It provides an alternative route for Gulf oil exports when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.
- Indian trade: Indian exports and imports, including petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery and engineering products, depend heavily on the Suez route.
- Current Crisis: The Iran-backed Houthis have captured Mokha port and Perim Island, strengthening their position around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
