The escalation of fighting along Yemen’s western coast during the first week of September 2026 has returned the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the forefront of risks threatening maritime trade and energy supplies. The fronts saw clashes between the Houthis and the Yemeni government after a period of near stalemate, particularly around Mokha, near the strategic passage.
Bab el-Mandeb’s importance for oil flows and trade
The strait is about 31 miles long, reaches nearly 16 miles across at its narrowest point and has an average depth of about 186 meters. It is divided into two channels separated by Mayyun Island, while the navigable passage used for entry and exit covers about 18 miles.
Houthis take control of Mayyun Island
Agence France-Presse reported that the Houthis had taken control of Mayyun Island, which covers about 13 square kilometers and is a key location for shipping through the strait. Other important islands lie north of Bab el-Mandeb, including the Hanish and Zuqar archipelagos, which are currently under partial Houthi control or siege.
Houthi military capabilities are deployed along Yemen’s western coast, including anti-ship missile platforms, attack drones and speedboats, as well as bases and launch sites in areas including Hudaydah. The areas of Mokha and Dhu Bab also hold security and military importance because of their proximity to shipping lanes.
On the African side, Djibouti and Eritrea overlook the area around the strait. Djibouti hosts American, French, Chinese, Japanese and Italian military bases, while Eritrea has strategic bases and sites, particularly in the Assab area, underscoring the passage’s international military importance and that of the shipping routes connected to it. Concern over escalation in Bab el-Mandeb is linked to its coinciding with the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Mohamed al-Sharqawi, a professor of international conflict resolution, warned that the two crises occurring simultaneously could leave the Gulf «between the jaws of a vise» and increase pressure on energy supplies and oil prices if the escalation spreads to Bab el-Mandeb.
Al-Sharqawi criticized Washington’s management of the conflict with Iran, saying it does not sufficiently take into account the security interests of Gulf states, which bear collateral damage. He also warned that continued escalation on multiple fronts does not serve American interests in the medium or long term.
