Strait of Uncertainty: Yemen's Houthis Cast a Long Shadow Over Global Trade The capture of Socotra Island by Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has sent shockwaves through the global trade community, particularly those involved in the shipping industry.
The strategic location of the island is situated in the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a vital commercial waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
This chokepoint for international shipping handles a significant portion of global trade, including oil exports from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations.