Red Sea Region: Houthi Militants Pose Risks To Important Choke Points

Context: The world is facing the escalating threats to maritime security in the Red Sea region following the actions of Houthi militants of Yemen.

Relevancy for Prelims: Location of Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and Panama Canal.

Relevancy for Mains: How Are Houthi Attacks On Ships In The Red Sea Affecting The Global Economy?

Choke point is a strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region.

About the Red Sea Region

A vital waterway for global commerce and energy shipped between Europe and Asia.
Through the Red Sea, perhaps one-third of global seaborn oil supply passes.
- Significance: An estimated 12% of global trade by volume normally flows, and perhaps 30% of global container traffic through it.
- Challenge: It has become a no-go zone as the Houthis attack shipping.

Red sea region

About Bab el-Mandeb

It is a narrow strait between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
It is located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African coast.
It is also known as the Gate of Tears.
- Significance: It is the route by which ships can reach the Suez Canal from the south – itself a major shipping lane.
- Avoiding it means vessels must take much longer routes, for example navigating around southern Africa.

About Panama Canal

It connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama. It was built by the US between 1904 and 1914, and it was officially opened on August 15, 1914.
It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways (the other being the Suez Canal).
It is owned and administered by the Republic of Panama since the oversight of the Canal was transferred from the United States to Panama in 1999.

Red sea region