The European Union is ramping up its security missions in the Red Sea as the Iran-backed Houthis are reported to be preparing at Tehran's behest to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the gateway to the key Red Sea global shipping route and oil route in the Horn of Africa.
The Bab el-Mandeb — Arabic for "Gate of Tears" — is a narrow strait roughly 30 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, separating Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula from Djibouti and Eritrea on the Horn of Africa.
Around 10-15% of global maritime trade passes through it, including a significant share of Europe's oil and gas imports.
A closure would force vessels to take the much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, adding two to three weeks to journeys between Asia and Europe and sharply increasing shipping costs.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas wrapped up a trip to Djibouti on Thursday, where she visited the EU’s Aspides and Atalanta naval missions, which ensure security in the Red Sea against the Houthis.
