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.

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.

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.

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