Yemen conflict intensifies fighting along Bab Al-Mandab Strait, reducing oil flow to 4 million barrels per day
Recent clashes near Yemen's Red Sea coast threaten a critical maritime route. Oil trade through the strait dropped to 4 million barrels daily in early 2024 after Houthi attacks disrupted traffic.
Renewed fighting along Yemen's western coastline has reignited concerns over the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a vital chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. This narrow passage sits between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, serving as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Ships carrying oil, fuel, and commercial goods regularly traverse this route to link Europe and Asia. Control of nearby territory remains strategically crucial. The US Energy Information Administration reported that oil trade through the strait averaged 4 million barrels per day in the first eight months of 2024. This figure represents a significant decline compared to the 8.7 million barrels per day recorded in 2023. Houthi attacks on shipping initiated the disruption to Red Sea traffic, directly impacting these figures. Key port cities such as Mokha and Dhubab lie close to the strait's entrance. Any expansion of Houthi control along this stretch could increase their capacity to threaten or monitor maritime vessels.
