Yemen Warns Critical Bab Al Mandeb Strait Faces Threat of Becoming Terrorist 'Blackmail Card'

Yemen's UN envoy warned on Tuesday that the Bab Al Mandeb strait is in grave danger of turning into a "blackmail card" controlled by a "transnational terrorist" group, while calling on the international community to share the burden of protecting the vital waterway. Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, Abdullah Al Saadi acknowledged the Houthi movement's ongoing control over the region surrounding the strait.

"The question is whether the international community will accept for one of the world's most important gateways for trade and energy to become a blackmail card in the hands of a transnational terrorist group," Mr Al Saadi stated, adding that Yemen is actively defending global interests rather than asking others to fight its battles.

The emergency session was convened following requests from Greece, Bahrain, Britain, France, Latvia, and Denmark. Mr Al Saadi emphasized that although the Bab Al Mandeb strait is situated within Yemeni territory and waters, its security impacts economies globally. "Every ship that crosses this strait, every shipment, every energy shipment, and every supply chain that depends on it makes its security part of the economic security of countries thousands of kilometres away from Yemen," he noted.

The Houthis have engaged in fighting against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces since the renewal of the civil war in July. Furthermore, the Iran-backed group declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and initiated attacks on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea. Rapid territorial gains last week allowed the Houthis to seize Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline and take control of the Bab Al Mandeb strait, increasing its significance for Saudi oil exports as regional conflicts disrupt the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain's deputy UN ambassador Kate Foster remarked that the Houthi escalation "did not occur in a vacuum," pointing to Iran's enduring support which facilitates threats against civilians, neighbors, maritime security, and peace prospects. She urged all member states to strictly implement obligations preventing arms transfers and military assistance to the Houthis.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's UN ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad expressed strong support for Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense, warning that the widening scope of Houthi attacks near the Bab Al Mandeb endangers international shipping. He highlighted that an internal conflict is increasingly spilling across national borders to impact the wider Middle East and destabilize navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandeb strait.