DID Press: The expansion of Ansar Allah (the Houthis) along Yemen’s western coast and its reported capture of strategic areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, including the port city of Mokha, have raised new questions about the economic and geopolitical consequences for Yemen and regional trade. Recent reports say Houthi forces have also taken control of Perim Island and other strategic positions near the waterway.
The development is significant not only from a military perspective. Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a major international shipping corridor. The waterway normally carries about 12% of global trade, while shipping through the strait has already fallen sharply following years of security disruptions.
For Yemen, however, the economic potential of the western coastline remains constrained by weak port, transport and energy infrastructure, as well as the country’s prolonged conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Reports from areas recently brought under Houthi control indicate efforts to restore public services and economic activity. These reportedly include work on electricity and water networks, healthcare and education services, and efforts to revive port operations and fishing activity.
The Mokha port is particularly significant because of its location near Bab al-Mandab. Its reactivation could potentially increase maritime trade capacity along Yemen’s western coast. The port was captured by Houthi forces on Sept. 10, according to Yemeni and Houthi officials cited by AP.
Fishing is another potentially important economic sector. Restoring fishing activity and supporting coastal communities could provide income and employment, although sustained investment and security would be required for the sector to recover.
The strategic importance of the coastline has also increased. Houthi control of Mokha, Dhubab and Perim Island gives the group positions from which it can monitor or exert pressure on maritime traffic approaching the strait. Preliminary Kpler data cited by The National showed ship crossings through Bab al-Mandab falling from 30 to 15 on Sept. 11.
At the same time, the economic implications extend beyond Yemen. Continued insecurity could encourage shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea and take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing transit times and freight costs.
Turning Yemen’s strategic geographic position into sustained economic gains would nevertheless require functioning ports, reliable infrastructure, maritime security, investment and political stability. The continuing conflict and displacement along the western coast remain major obstacles.
If conditions stabilize, investments in port development, logistics facilities, energy infrastructure, fisheries and maritime services could increase the economic role of Yemen’s Red Sea coast. But the realization of that potential would depend on developments in security and governance as much as on the region’s geographic importance.