elMandeb

elMandeb, commonly known as Bab al-Mandab, is a strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, separating Yemen to the north from Djibouti and Eritrea to the south. The name derives from Arabic and is usually translated as “Gate of Tears.” The strait forms a critical maritime corridor at the southern end of the Red Sea and is part of a major route linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

Geographically, the strait is relatively narrow, with the width at its narrowest point around 29 kilometers (about 18 miles). It lies between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, and serves as the transit point between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The area includes busy shipping lanes used by vessels transporting crude oil, LNG, and general cargo between the Persian Gulf, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Strategic and economic significance is high. Bab al-Mandab is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, enabling a large share of international trade and energy shipments. As such, the strait has been the focus of international naval patrols and security coordination, especially during periods of regional instability and piracy concerns off the Horn of Africa. While subject to sovereignty claims and security operations, the strait remains international waters for routing ships, underlining its role in global commerce.