Bab-el-Mandeb — strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Bab-el-Mandeb

strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa

In brief

Mogadishu Seaport received its first direct sugar shipment from Sri Lanka as traders bypass Gulf routes after Red Sea tensions displaced over 85,000 in Yemen.

Houthi forces seized the port city of Mokha on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, prompting government troops to withdraw from Mokha and nearby districts as clashes widen toward Dhubab. The advance threatens control of Bab al-Mandeb, a critical global energy chokepoint, with fighting spilling over into Taiz, Mareb, and Hodeidah and reports of civilian displacement.

Strait of Hormuz traffic stayed in single digits on Monday, with six commercial ships transiting amid a stalemate in U.S.-Iran talks, though showing a slight uptick from the weekend. Movements included the ballast-entry VLGC Xavia and a mix of tankers and bulkers, while broader chokepoint data at Bab el-Mandeb also reflected subdued volumes as industry players remain cautious.

Multiple reports claim Saudi-led strikes hit Hodeidah and related sites such as telecom facilities on Kamaran Island, with the Houthis and coalition providing conflicting accounts about targets and impacts, raising alarm over Red Sea shipping and potential disruption to maritime traffic, even as some sources note that ports in the area remained open. The事件 underscores heightened regional tensions as both sides accuse each other while shipping routes face persistent risk.

LatestHouthis Claim Riyadh Airport Attack, Threaten Saudi AirspaceThe Houthis claimed they struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and warned airlines against using Saudi airspace, which they said could become a theater of military operations. The threats come amid escalating fighting in Yemen, including Saudi-backed government forces’ reported advances near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a Houthi claim that it forced Saudi F-15s to withdraw over Taiz.23h