Yemen’s Houthi rebels do not need to physically close the Bab al-Mandab Strait to inflict significant damage on global supply chains.
The mere threat of disruption is sufficient to force vessels to reroute and drive insurance premiums to prohibitive levels, creating a form of economic warfare that operates below the threshold of outright blockade.
Aarathi Krishnan, a maritime security expert, outlined this dynamic in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.
She noted that applying pressure on critical choke points allows the Houthis to contribute to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s broader pressure campaign without triggering a direct military response that a full closure might invite.
The strategy relies on uncertainty and cost rather than kinetic denial.
This approach aligns with recent assessments of the region’s shipping risks.