Qatar warns closure of Bab el-Mandeb could have ‘devastating’ global consequences

Speaking to journalists, Qatari Foreign Ministry official Ibrahim Hashmi said the world was already dealing with the consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and that the Bab el-Mandeb should not be added to the situation.

He warned that shutting the southern route of the Red Sea would be devastating for the entire world, adding that the effects of disruptions were already becoming visible. Qatar, he said, was pushing for diplomacy and negotiations to resolve the situation.

The Houthis have established control over areas along Yemen’s eastern Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb, raising concerns that maritime access towards the Suez Canal could be disrupted.

Following their control over the area, the Houthis said the Bab el-Mandeb would remain open to all ships, while stating that Saudi vessels would be excluded.

Why is Bab el-Mandeb important?

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait lies between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side.

It is a crucial maritime route for ships travelling from the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden towards the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

The strait is around 115 kilometres long and 36 kilometres wide. Following the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, Bab el-Mandeb became a critical link in global trade by providing one of the shortest sea routes between Europe and Asia.

The Red Sea passage is now among the world’s busiest maritime routes, with around a quarter of global maritime traffic estimated to pass through the wider route.

Around 20% of the oil supplied to global markets passes through the Strait of Hormuz, while estimates suggest that a potential closure of Bab el-Mandeb could disrupt another 12% of global oil shipments.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, around 5 million barrels of oil per day travelling from Middle Eastern and Asian countries towards Western markets pass through the strait.

The passage also carries around 8% of global liquefied natural gas shipments.

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the Red Sea has gained even greater importance for global energy and trade flows.

Beyond oil and gas, Bab el-Mandeb is a major commercial link between eastern and western markets, with dozens of cargo vessels passing through the route every day.