Over the course of the enduring civil war in Yemen, the Houthi rebels have, on various occasions, fired missiles at ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In January, the group even threatened to block the entire waterway. Bab el-Mandeb is strategically important for the West. Four million barrels of oil are transported through it each day. A full blockade of the gateway would severely harm the European and global economy. Despite the Houthis’ January statement, though, a blockade of the strait would be strategically unwise for the rebels and their alleged Iranian backers. Apart from the debate about the rebels’ ability to close off the strait, a full blockade does not serve the group’s interest at this time. Despite Western … Continue reading Blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would be a strategic disaster for the Houthis