Houthi forces have taken control of the Red Sea island of Mokha, bringing them within striking distance of the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, the key chokepoint for oil shipments between the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal.

Strategic importance of Bab el‑Mandeb

The strait handles roughly one‑third of the world’s seaborne oil, a volume that translates to several million barrels each day. Any disruption could ripple through global markets, prompting price spikes and prompting ship owners to seek longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope.

How the island was seized

According to CNBC, Houthi fighters advanced from the Yemeni coast and secured Mokha after a brief clash with Yemeni government troops stationed on the sparsely populated outpost. Satellite imagery released on Tuesday showed Houthi‑marked vessels moored near the island’s modest harbour, while local reports indicated the rebels deployed small‑scale missile launchers to deter naval interference.

Residents, many of whom rely on fishing, fled the island overnight, leaving behind a handful of abandoned homes and a small dock that once serviced regional traders.

International reaction

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry warned that the capture “poses an unacceptable threat to the safety of maritime traffic” and called for an “immediate reversal” of the Houthi advance. The United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet announced that it would boost patrols in the Bab el‑Mandeb area, while the United Nations Secretary‑General’s office urged all parties to respect international shipping lanes.

Major shipping insurers, including Lloyd’s of London, raised premiums for vessels transiting the Red Sea, reflecting heightened perceived risk. Analysts at Bloomberg noted that the move could shave up to three days off the typical transit time if ships are forced to detour, adding to logistical costs for manufacturers worldwide.

Implications for global oil markets

Oil futures rose modestly on Wednesday, with Brent crude gaining 0.7 per cent as traders priced in the possibility of a temporary bottleneck. Energy‑trade experts warned that a sustained Houthi presence near the strait could compel oil‑importing nations to tap strategic reserves, further straining market balance.

The incident revives concerns from earlier in the conflict, when Houthi missiles struck commercial vessels near the strait in 2022 and 2024. Those attacks prompted multinational naval coalitions to establish a “red sea corridor” that, until now, had largely kept shipping safe.Experts say the next weeks will be crucial: a UN Security Council session on Thursday will consider a resolution authorising expanded naval patrols, while the Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting to coordinate a regional response.

As the Red Sea’s narrow waters become a flashpoint once more, the world watches whether diplomatic pressure or military deterrence will restore the flow of oil through the Bab el‑Mandeb, a lifeline for economies from Europe to Asia.