Bab al-Mandab Strait Remains Secure, 318 Ships Pass Freely Amid Saudi Claims

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Mohammad Qahim, the Minister of Transport for the Yemeni government in Sana’a, informed Al Mayadeen television that more than 318 ships passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in complete security between September 10th and 18th of the current month.

While the Yemeni government in Sana’a asserts that Bab al-Mandab is open to all countries except Saudi Arabian vessels, a Saudi military official recently attempted to portray the situation as a global crisis. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri, commander of what is designated the “Defensive Maritime Coalition” – an alliance recently established by Riyadh to counter Yemeni forces – stated that defending international waterways is a global responsibility. In an interview with the official Saudi Press Agency, he claimed that any threat to freedom of navigation would be met with a severe response.

This assertion is considered a bluff that does not align with the reality on the ground, as the Yemeni army continues to prevent Saudi ships from passing through Bab al-Mandab. The “Defensive Maritime Coalition” was formed on July 30th with the participation of 43 countries in Saudi Arabia. However, similar to other alliances formed by Riyadh, it has not progressed beyond issuing condemnation statements.