Since late November, Houthi rebels in Yemen have considerably increased their attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait that connects the Arabian Peninsula to the Horn of Africa.
The attacks began in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and have since increased. The attacks began on October 7, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthi military has stated that the group wants to “prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea (and the Gulf of Aden) until the Israeli aggression against our brothers in the Gaza Strip stops.” The Houthis reaffirmed their support for Hamas and threatened to strike any ship heading to Israel.
Table of Contents
Who Are The Houthis
The Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite Muslim militant group that predominantly operates in Yemen. The Houthi movement began in the northern region of Yemen, specifically in the Saada Governorate, in the early 2000s. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a Zaidi Shiite imam, formed it as a group to address problems affecting the Zaidi community. Zaidis, a minority in Yemen, felt isolated and economically disadvantaged compared to the Sunni majority, and they saw the government’s policies as discriminating.
The Houthi rebels follow the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, which differs somewhat from the Twelver Shiite branch that dominates Iran and parts of Iraq. Zaidism places a strong emphasis on the Imamate, a political and religious hierarchy that has historically ruled several regions of Yemen. The Houthi movement is based on Zaidi beliefs, advocating for the rights of the Zaidi people and larger social justice problems.
The uprising grew during the 2011 Arab Spring events, which saw broad calls for political reform and the resignation of then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
In September 2014, the Houthi rebels took advantage of the chaos caused by the Arab Spring demonstrations and seized control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This led to a significant escalation in the conflict, resulting in the fall of the government and the subsequent removal of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who fled to Aden before seeking asylum in Saudi Arabia. This prompted a coalition led by Saudi Arabia to intervene in 2015, intending to restore Yemen’s government to power and contain what they saw as Iranian influence through the Houthis. The battle has triggered a terrible humanitarian disaster, with widespread starvation, sickness, and displacement.
Importance of Red Sea
The Red Sea is essential for trade because of its strategic location and significance as a major maritime route connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. There are various reasons why the Red Sea is important for trade:
Strategic Location: The Red Sea acts as a critical link between the Mediterranean and Indian oceans. It is the shortest sea route connecting Europe to the Indian subcontinent, East Africa, and the Persian Gulf region.
Suez Canal: One of the world’s most important waterways is the Suez Canal, which connects the Red and Mediterranean seas. It allows ships to avoid the long and often dangerous journey around Africa’s southern point, drastically decreasing travel times and expenses for international trade.
Access to Major Markets: Through the Red Sea’s marine trade routes, nations surrounding the region—such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Yemen, and Jordan—have access to major markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Energy Trade: The Red Sea is an important route for transporting oil and natural gas from the oil-rich Gulf countries to markets in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Major oil producers, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq, rely on the Red Sea to export their oil and gas. Trade Routes: The Red Sea serves as a hub for various key trade routes, including those that connect the Arabian Peninsula to East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. These routes were historically important for trade and cultural exchange.
Strategic Importance of Bab el Mandeb
The Bab el Mandeb Strait, the Gate of Grief, or the Gate of Tears connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is critical to regional and global maritime security and trade. Here’s why.
Critical Maritime Chokepoint: The Bab el Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. It is an important transit point for ships moving between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Nearly 4.8 million barrels of oil move through the strait daily, making it an important route for global energy exchange.
Access to the Suez Canal: Ships sailing through the Bab el Mandeb have access to the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. The Suez Canal is a shorter route for vessels sailing between Europe and Asia than the trek via Africa’s southern coast.
Commercial Routes: The Bab el Mandeb is an important international commercial route that connects Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. It enables the movement of goods, such as oil, natural gas, manufactured goods, and raw materials, to and from various places.
Conclusion
There have been numerous regional conflicts in the Red Sea region, Yemen being one of the more notable examples. The Yemeni civil war has transformed the Red Sea into a staging ground for proxy warfare.
The Red Sea’s geopolitical significance is inextricably linked to its role as a worldwide trade route, energy corridor, and strategic crossroads. With its intricate web of historical legacies, regional rivalries, and international interests, the Red Sea is a focal point in the ever-changing face of global geopolitics. As nations navigate these complex waterways, the necessity for collaborative measures to solve difficulties and build stability remains critical for the shared prosperity of the Red Sea region and the global community as a whole.
FAQs
Why are Houthis attacking the Red Sea?
The attacks began in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. The attacks began on October 7, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthi military has stated that the group wants to “prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea (and the Gulf of Aden) until the Israeli aggression against our brothers in the Gaza Strip stops.”
Who are the Houthis?
The Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite Muslim militant group that predominantly operates in Yemen. The Houthi movement began in the northern region of Yemen, specifically in the Saada Governorate, in the early 2000s.
Where is Bab el Mandeb located?
The Bab-el-Mandeb, the Gate of Grief or the Gate of Tears, is a strait between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and by extension the Indian Ocean.