Malaysia Voices Concern Over Threat to Close Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Malaysia has expressed deep concern over recent announcements and threats regarding the potential restriction or closure of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strait is a vital route for international trade connecting Asia and Europe, and any disruption to transit in this corridor affects economies worldwide, far beyond the immediate region, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. “As a trading nation whose economic vitality and national prosperity are heavily dependent on open, secure, and unimpeded international maritime trade, Malaysia reaffirms that any disruption to critical chokepoints of global shipping constitutes a direct and unacceptable threat to the stability of international supply chains, energy security, and global economic recovery,” the statement read. “Malaysia calls upon all parties concerned to uphold the freedom of navigation and to maintain the security and safety of commercial sea lanes … Malaysia reiterates its call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from provocative actions or threats targeting maritime transit.” The Houthi group’s declaration of a maritime ban on Saudi shipping on Monday has raised fresh concerns over the security of the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade corridors, especially as traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted due to ongoing US strikes against Iran.