Houthi control of Bab Al-Mandab elevates strategic threat to global shipping

The Houthis' seizure of the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for global maritime trade, has amplified their regional leverage and introduced a direct threat to the global economy. The article profiles the group's origins and capabilities, but the key change is the strategic shift from asymmetric attacks to territorial control of a key waterway. This development raises the risk of supply chain disruptions and energy price volatility, though the full extent of their operational capacity remains uncertain.