The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for global maritime trade, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
Strategically located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the Horn of Africa, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is vital for oil transportation.
The name Bab el-Mandeb translates to "Gate of Tears," a reference to the treacherous navigation conditions and historical shipwrecks in the area.
Control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is highly contested due to its strategic importance for military and economic dominance in the region.
Environmentalists are concerned about the ecological impact of heavy shipping traffic and potential oil spills in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which supports rich marine biodiversity.