Current Affairs / International Relations — UPSC Mains Model Answer

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea is among the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Its narrow width means that any interdiction—military or otherwise—can effectively sever the Europe-Asia trade artery. The Suez Canal at the northern end compounds this strategic weight, handling a substantial share of global container and energy traffic.

Beginning in late 2023, Houthi forces based in Yemen launched sustained drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, framing the campaign as solidarity with Gaza. Major shipping lines responded by rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding roughly 10–14 days and significant fuel costs per voyage. This effectively replicated the economic disruption of a canal closure without physically blocking the waterway.

Rerouting inflated freight rates, tightened container availability, and introduced inflationary pressure on goods ranging from consumer electronics to energy. Economies heavily dependent on Red Sea transit—including those in South Asia and Europe—faced elevated import costs. Insurance premiums for vessels in the region surged, signalling sustained risk perception.

A US-led multinational naval coalition was assembled to escort commercial shipping and intercept projectiles. The episode exposed the limits of freedom-of-navigation operations when a non-state actor possesses precision strike capabilities, prompting calls for broader multilateral maritime security frameworks under international law.