With the possible opening of a front in Yemen, the war in the Middle East threatens another vital axis of trade.

This evolution poses a major risk to the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, pivotal to global maritime trade. A blockage would have serious implications for Egypt, already economically fragile and reliant on the Suez Canal for revenue.

In late March, indications suggest the possible emergence of a new front in Yemen in the Middle East war. This country is located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, where several missiles were launched towards Israel during the weekend of March 28 and 29. These attacks were claimed by the Houthi rebels, financially and militarily supported for years by Iran. Tehran’s allies have stayed away from hostilities for a month but carried out initial bombings on Saturday, hinting at possible involvement in the conflict, similar to their actions during the Gaza war.

This development poses a threat to Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea. While you may be familiar with the Strait of Hormuz, get ready to learn about the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Another crucial passage in the region, the only access point to the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, enabling ships to pass through the Suez Canal and reach the Mediterranean and Europe without circumnavigating all of Africa. It’s a vital checkpoint for global trade, where ships carrying goods, gas, and oil transit daily. Nearly 15% of global maritime trade goes through this corridor, which has become even more critical since the blockage in Hormuz.

However, this strait is highly vulnerable, with the Houthi rebels controlling its northern part potentially attempting to block it. While the consequences may be less severe than those for the Strait of Hormuz, the cumulative effect would significantly impact Egypt. Egypt heavily relies on Suez Canal traffic for its foreign exchange earnings. A blockade would be catastrophic. Although it’s not widely discussed at the moment, the country is facing an energy crisis. In just a few weeks, the Egyptian currency has depreciated, gasoline prices have soared, especially gas essential for electricity production.

The authorities have taken drastic measures in recent days, including early closures of businesses and restaurants at 9 p.m., turning off street lights at night, and encouraging telecommuting. With the Easter vacation approaching, this could affect tourist traffic, another cornerstone of the struggling economy. The repercussions would be immense if the conflict expands to the Red Sea. This prompted Marshal Sissi to appeal to his friend Donald Trump on Monday, March 30. “I told Trump: no one can stop the war, except you! Help us, please!” he stated. A plea to the American president to prevent the country from plunging into a deep crisis.