Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important?
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· India's bilateral relations· Prelims + Mains·
Maritime security and choke points: a key GS2 topic regarding regional stability and global trade.
Why in news
The UK agreed to deploy a military aircraft to refuel Saudi fighter jets following the seizure of territory near the Bab al-Mandam Strait by Iran-backed Houthis.
Background
The Bab al-Mandam Strait is a strategic maritime passage near the Yemen coastline. Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has intervened in Yemen's civil war to restore government rule after the Houthis ousted the government from Sanaa in 2014.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceBab al-Mandam Strait: A strategic maritime passage located near the Yemen coastline.
- FactHouthis ousted the Yemeni government from the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
- FactSaudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015.
- PostUK military aircraft deployment: Requested by Saudi Arabia for refueling fighter jets on defensive missions.
Prelims practice question
Which strategic maritime passage is located near the Yemen coastline?
- (a)Malacca Strait
- (b)Bab al-Mandam Strait
- (c)Strait of Hormuz
- (d)Suez Canal
Show answer
Answer: (b) Bab al-Mandam Strait — The note identifies the Bab al-Mandam Strait as a strategic maritime passage near the Yemen coastline.
For Mains
Q. Analyze the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandam Strait in global maritime trade and its implications for regional security in the Middle East.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Maritime choke point: High vulnerability of global oil and cargo transit to regional militia activity
- Geopolitical proxy war: Influence of Iran-backed groups on Red Sea navigation and Saudi-led coalition interests
Keywords: Maritime security · Choke point · Proxy conflict · Strategic depth · Regional stability
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.