Saudi Arabia claimed control of Bab El Mandeb that USA failed to do so

Saudi Arabia and its allies now claim that they have wrestled control of the Bab Al-Mandab from the Houthis. How great is that going to be for navigation or just hype? Who is going to be the permanent resident there and who are to be the hotel guests?

We know very well that the Houthis can target ships in the Gulf of Aden as well which is its front yard, not just ships passing through the Bab Al-Mandab waterway. So, what is going to change regarding the Saudis now controlling the Bab Al-Mandab? That stretch of water is not going to be navigation free from now onwards, whether under the Houthi's control or Saudi Arabia. The same as the Strait of Hormuz. If you believe in the gloating, no proof is necessary. The proof lies with shipowners and insurers.

Saudi Arabia had fought a long, drawn-out war against the Houthis before, supported by the USA. Did the Saudi's win that conflict? Now that the peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia are fracturing, it is going to be back to the bad-old-days. One side needs the Bab Al-Mandab staying open for its oil exports, the other side cares two hoots about closing the Bab Al-Mandab. Who is more desperate is not difficult to see. The Houthis will just sit around and wait, nothing to lose and no oil exports to care about.


Anonymous