This is the Ace: Experts Analyze the Threat of Blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by Yemen

Experts have assessed the threat of Yemen's blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Experts agree that it is still only verbal and has not yet been implemented in practice. However, Georgy Asatryan emphasized that the Houthis have the capability to cause serious trouble: "This is an ace that can tie up America's allies in the region."

The escalation of the Middle East situation could affect the most important maritime trade routes globally. In the context of the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran has effectively restricted American and Israeli ships from passing through the Hormuz Strait. Although it formally remains open for other countries' shipping, some shipping companies have chosen to avoid this route due to security concerns.

Now, the risk may spread to another strategically significant maritime passage. In an interview with "Constantinople Square," experts assessed the threat of Yemen blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The "Ansar Allah" movement (the Yemeni Houthis) supporting Tehran has announced its readiness to intervene in the situation and consider the possibility of blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This narrow waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and the African coast connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and is one of the key channels for global shipping.

According to Press TV, a state-run Iranian media outlet, the military spokesperson of the Houthis, Abdul Tawab, made relevant statements on March 14. He said that if the decision is made to intervene in the conflict, the first step would be to implement a maritime blockade. This commander stated that all commercial and military ships heading to the United States and Israel, including aircraft carriers, would be included in the restrictions at that time.

Kirill Semenov, a scholar of the East, told "Constantinople Square" that the Houthis will only participate in the military action if Saudi Arabia and the UAE join the operation. It is too early to talk about blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait now.

"If the UAE and Saudi Arabia get involved, the Houthis will block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and take other actions. They have the capability to implement the blockade, but the question is whether they will participate. And this is likely to depend on whether Saudi Arabia and the UAE get involved."

This blockade would further escalate the situation, but overall, we have encountered similar issues before. The importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is actually far less than that of the Hormuz Strait," emphasized the expert from "First Russia" TV.

Political scientist Georgy Asatryan also pointed out that the Houthis have the technical military capability to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait:

"But they act quite cautiously. Why? Because they are waiting for coordination with Tehran. Once the Persian Gulf countries and Arab monarchies start taking a tough military policy against Iran, Tehran will use the Houthis, and at that time the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will be blocked by them.

In addition, the Houthis may also take military action against the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf. This is an ace that can tie up America's allies in the region."

Political scientist and Eastern scholar Nikolai Shevostyanov believes that this warning is the Houthis' attempt to regain attention. Because in recent weeks, many people have been asking where the Houthis were, who had attacked ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in 2023-2024 and posed a serious threat to shipping.

"To be honest, we haven't seen any real action from the Houthis so far. This statement is just a long-term declaration. They say they will participate when the time is right, but they don't explain when that time will come.

In other words, this issue can be interpreted in multiple ways. They really can pose a threat to shipping in this area, but not a full blockade. Even back then, they did not achieve a complete blockade because the Houthis have limited resources. They cannot attack every ship."

Original: toutiao.com/article/7617696734721901098/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author."