The strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, serving as an economic corridor between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, has long played a decisive role in the geopolitical equations of West Asia, a region that has recently emerged as a center of tension in new power dynamics. The significance of examining the Bab al-Mandeb Corridor lies in its role as a magnet for regional and trans-regional powers seeking to influence and control the passage of ships. As a critical maritime channel linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, this strait holds a decisive position alongside the Suez Canal in the context of global economic integration and rising energy demand. However, persistent regional instability, coupled with various destabilizing factors, has created prolonged periods of disorder in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The main research question addressed in this study is: What is the impact of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait as a maritime corridor on the shifting power equations in West Asia? Drawing on the theory of offensive and defensive realism, and employing a descriptive-analytical methodology with data collected from library and documentary sources, the study analyzes the hypothesis that Houthi operations against commercial and military vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb corridor have disrupted maritime traffic. This disruption has led to rerouting, increased transit time, and higher costs for transporting goods and energy. Consequently, the military intervention of Israel, the United States, and certain Arab states against Houthi positions underscores the corridor’s active role as a critical variable in West Asian geopolitical equations. In light of these developments, regional and international cooperation is essential to ensure security and stability, thereby facilitating global economic growth, maintaining the balance of geopolitical power, and guaranteeing the safe passage of ships.
Research Background
Several studies have examined international waterways and strategic straits, though none have fully addressed the Bab al-Mandeb Corridor’s recent geopolitical role in West Asia, particularly as a lever of pressure against Israel during the Gaza conflict. For instance:


Mohammadi (2019), in The Geopolitics of Strategic Straits of the Middle East and Its Role in Regional Equations, emphasized the strategic leverage of vital straits but did not focus on the contemporary situation in Bab al-Mandeb.


Rezvani (2017), in Strategic Geography of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, highlighted Yemen’s geopolitical significance due to its control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, yet overlooked trans-regional actors’ involvement.


Ahmadi (2010), in The Role of Resistance Groups in Changing the Balance of Power in West Asia, analyzed Houthi strategies to pressure the Saudi coalition without considering wider regional dynamics.


Najafi (2011), in Geopolitical Developments in Yemen and Their Impact on World Energy Security, focused solely on energy security risks.


Ghaffari (2018), in Strategies of Regional Powers Towards International Straits, examined traditional positions of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel without incorporating recent events.


Methodology
This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach with documentary and library-based data collection. The analysis model is designed around the status of international corridors in the region, with the offensive and defensive realism framework applied to evaluate Houthi behavior in Bab al-Mandeb.
Discussion
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack in southwestern Israel, prompting Israeli counterattacks in Gaza. Concurrently, the Houthis, controlling northwestern Yemen (including Sanaa), initiated sporadic missile and drone attacks on southern Israel. Most of these attacks were intercepted by Israeli Air Defense Forces and allied American warships in the Red Sea. By November, Houthi attacks expanded to ships in and near the Red Sea, initially targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels, and later those of the United States and Britain. These assaults involved drones, anti-ship missiles, and small armed vessels (Krasna, 2024). In response, the United States launched Operation Welfare Guardian on December 18, 2023, to secure Red Sea shipping, although only Bahrain fully joined the force, while other countries—including the European Union, China, and India—sent limited naval support (Lagron, 2023).
Final Results
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, through which approximately 4 million barrels of oil pass daily, has emerged as a focal point for regional and international actors. This study demonstrates that Houthi operations disrupted maritime traffic, resulting in increased costs and delays, and triggered military interventions by Israel, the United States, and select Arab countries, further destabilizing the corridor. Given its vital role in connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe and its significance in global energy supply and economic integration, maintaining security and stability in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is crucial for both regional geopolitics and the global economy.