Threats to Commercial Shipping at Bab Al-Mandeb Grow

The International Maritime Security Construct(IMSC) warned ships against traveling through Bab Al-Mandeb Strait in Yemen as the Ansar Allah Houthi group continues to target vesselsin the Strait and the Red Sea. 

The IMSC said in an advisory on Thursday, "The approaches to the Bab al Mandeb continue to be an area of concern." 

The IMSC added, "When choosing routes, orient toward creating maximum feasible distance from Yemeni waters." It also urged the vessels to transit at night when possible, as this will "reduce the likelihood of visual identification by malign actors."

The Bab al Mandeb Strait is a strategic maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, allowing ships to sail from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Every day, millions of barrels of oil flow through the strait, and roughly 9 percent of total seaborne-traded petroleum passes through the Bab al Mandeb.

The Houthi-run Saba News Agency said today the Yemeni marine force is capable of targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea or anywhere else. The agency quoted a senior source from the Houthi marine force, saying that "the armed force is preparing to all Israeli ships whether they are heading to the occupied Palestine or any other country." 

On November 14, Yemen's Houthi leader Abdulmalek Al-Houthi said his forces would target Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He said in a broadcast speech, "Our eyes are open to constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, especially in Bab al-Mandab, and near Yemeni regional waters." 

On Wednesday, a U.S. warship shot down a drone in the Red Sea off Yemen. The drone was fired from Yemen, and it was heading toward the ship. Houthi officials said the drone belonged to them. 

On October 17, Sheba Intelligence published an in-depth report on the Houthi preparation for engaging in a war against Israel that has launched an indiscriminate bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip since October 7. The report predicted the Houthi attacks on Bab Al-Mandeb, the international forces in the Gulf of Aden, and forces allied with the UAE to the south of Yemen. 

According to the report, the Houthis installed ballistic missile launch pads in the Air DefenseBrigade in Al-Amaki of Taiz. These missiles will likely target the West Coast forces in Mocha, 100 km away, and the forces present on MayunIsland, 140 km away, leading to the closure of Bab al-Mandeb.