Israeli Official Warns Houthi Control of Bab al-Mandab Strait Worse Than Hormuz

An Israeli official has expressed grave concern over the Houthi takeover of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning that the development poses a greater threat than control of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to N12, the official stated that the Houthis could now target ships with anti-tank missiles from close range, as they would be able to visually identify vessels. This direct line of sight, unlike the more technologically reliant targeting at Hormuz, significantly increases the danger.

The official elaborated that the Houthis could deploy "suicide boats" or directly seize ships, describing the situation as a "huge drama" that grants the terrorist organization "enormous power." The Houthis reportedly completed their takeover of the strategic waterway earlier on Friday, having seized Perim Island and advanced to the coastal city of Dhuabab, thereby extending their control over much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline.

This rapid advance follows their capture of the port city of Al Mocha just a day prior. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a critical global shipping lane, handling approximately 20% of the world's container traffic en route to the Suez Canal, and is vital for the supply chain between Asia and Europe. Additionally, about six million barrels of oil, primarily from Saudi Arabia, pass through the strait daily, making its closure a potential exacerbator of the global energy and commodities crisis.