Literature

Yemen is one of the most strategically important countries in the world. Recent developments there have shocked many people and will have dramatic effects that extend far beyond the Middle East.

In January 2015, the Houthis, a rebel group sponsored and directed by Iran, overthrew the pro-American Yemeni government. After it conquered the capital city of Sana’a, throngs of Houthis began chanting “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel.” These are exactly the same battle cries that Iran uses.

This stunned many people in Europe and terrified many of the more moderate Arab states, especially those who rely on unlimited access to the Red Sea.

The Houthi takeover in Yemen proves that Iran is implementing a bold strategy to control the vital sea-lane from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

We need to understand the gravity of this situation in Yemen!

In order to reach the Mediterranean Sea from the Indian Ocean, a lot of seafaring trade—including 6.2 million barrels of oil per day—passes through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the southern gate of the Red Sea. Measuring just 18 miles across, this channel is the closest point between the two landmasses of central Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The northeast edge of the strait is in Yemeni territory.