Houthi Threaten to Close Bab al-Mandeb, 'Neither Humans Nor Jinn Can Open It'

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SANAA – Yemen’s Houthi group has once again threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the sole gateway from the south to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. This move would be taken if US President Donald Trump continues to obstruct peace in the Middle East.

“If Sanaa decides to close Bab al-Mandeb, then all of humanity and the jinn will be powerless to open it,” wrote Hussein al-Ezzi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Houthi administration in Sanaa, in his statement on X.

“Therefore, the best course for Trump – and other involved countries – is to immediately end all practices and policies that hinder peace, and to show the necessary respect for the rights of our people and nation.”

Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major shipping hub channelling maritime traffic to the Suez Canal. It is 29 km (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two lanes for incoming and outgoing shipments.

It is one of the world’s most important routes for global sea shipments of commodities, particularly crude oil and other fuels from the Gulf to the Mediterranean, as well as commodities destined for Asia, including Russian oil.

The Houthis previously closed access to this route for ships heading to Israel as a defence of Gaza since 2023. The US, along with allies, was forced to deploy warships to break the blockade in 2025.