Italy will deploy warships to ensure the safe passage of its commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, according to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. He stated that Italy would not wait for a joint decision from the European Union, emphasizing the need for prompt action to avoid severe economic consequences if the waterway becomes impassable.
Crosetto noted, "We have the capabilities to protect the passage," and highlighted the importance of avoiding bureaucratic delays in decision-making that could worsen the situation. The Bab al-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a critical shipping corridor between Europe and Asia, facilitating oil, gas, and container traffic to and from the Suez Canal.
Historically, approximately 12 to 15 percent of global trade has passed through this narrow waterway, which separates Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea and is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The strait's significance has increased following Iran's effective control of the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year, which has redirected much of the Gulf's crude exports to alternative routes.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly utilized pipelines and Red Sea shipping to avoid Hormuz, making the Bab al-Mandeb strait one of the last major routes for Gulf oil to reach global markets. Control of the strait has been contested for years, with Yemen's government, Houthi rebels, and regional forces holding various stretches of its coastline since the onset of the Yemen war in 2015.
Recent developments have seen the Iran-backed Houthi movement launch an offensive that has secured control of Yemen's western Red Sea coast, including strategically important islands. This advancement has granted the Houthis greater access to the waterway, raising concerns for international shipping due to their history of targeting vessels associated with the US and its allies.
The US and the European Union have conducted military operations to enhance the protection of merchant ships from Houthi attacks, but these efforts have faced challenges amid escalating fighting in Yemen.