Bab al-Mandab Strait: Could new threats from the Houthis trigger another crisis in the Red Sea?

The Houthis' blockade threat against Saudi ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait may disrupt maritime transport in the Red Sea and trigger a new crisis in global trade. It is now possible to follow the agenda on BBC Turkish on WhatsApp. Click to get our news directly to your phone.

Threats from Iran's allies against a vital shipping route in the Red Sea have raised concerns that it could cause new disruptions to global trade. By effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has prevented the exit of maritime traffic from the Persian Gulf. Now Iran's main allies in the Middle East are threatening to open a new maritime front on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Houthis, the rebel group that controls the north of Yemen and is supported by Tehran, declared a "naval blockade" against US ally Saudi Arabia in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Bab al-Mandap is located on an important sea route leading to the Suez Canal. Approximately 12 percent of global oil transported by sea passes through this route.

Yahya Seri, the military spokesman of the Houthis, said in a statement on July 20 that this blockade was in retaliation for the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia on ports and airports in the areas under the control of the Houthis. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this claim and announced that the country would "take all necessary measures to protect its ships within the framework of international law. Yemen suffered great devastation due to the civil war that started in 2014 when the Houthis expelled the government from the capital Sanaa.

The conflict intensified after a coalition of Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia intervened in 2015 to restore government rule. It is stated that more than 150 thousand people lost their lives in the conflicts. War in Yemen has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, where more than 22 million people need some form of aid, according to the United Nations.

So, can the Houthis really close the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Saudi Arabian ships? Farea al-Muslimi, Middle East expert at London-based think tank Chatham House, told the BBC World Service that the group has military power that could cause disruptions in maritime transport. "The Houthis have mines and have improved their capabilities in maritime unmanned aerial vehicles in the last few years, Muslimi said.

Moreover, the Houthis do not need to impose a complete blockade to cause problems. "All they have to do is hit a target, says Muslimi. "Even a symbolic attack will create the necessary panic among insurance companies, shipping companies and oil suppliers.

Even this can cause much more damage than people think. "Iran's post-war strategy is to wear down US allies in the region. They are trying to draw everyone into the conflict.

Iran had previously threatened to "open other fronts". Yemen expert Anvat al-Ansi is also of the opinion that the Houthis are acting in line with Tehran's instructions in order to draw Saudi Arabia into the conflict. In his statement to the BBC World Service, Ansi said: "Iran wants this tension to escalate because this is the only option it has at the moment.

The Saudis have avoided confrontation with Tehran. However, if the Houthis really attack, they will now have to take action to defend their interests. Yemen is located on the Arabian Peninsula side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Djibouti and Eritrea are on the African side.

Ships coming from the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden have to pass through this strait to reach the Suez Canal. The 115 km long and 36 km wide strait became one of the mandatory transit points for international ship trade with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The shortest sea route between Europe and Asia passes through the Suez Canal. The Red Sea corridor is one of the busiest points in global maritime traffic. A quarter of all maritime trade in the world uses this route.