Bab el-Mandeb Location: UPSC Current Affairs

Q: Which water bodies does the strait connect?

It connects the Red Sea (to the northwest) with the Gulf of Aden (to the southeast), which then opens into the Indian Ocean.

Q: Which countries border the Bab el-Mandeb?

The strait is bordered by Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula to the northeast, and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African continent to the southwest.

Description

Why In News?

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is currently a high-risk maritime chokepoint facing potential blockade by Houthi forces amid the escalating US-Israeli-Iranian conflict.

What is Bab el-Mandeb Strait?

The Bab el-Mandeb (meaning "Gate of Tears" or "Gate of Grief" in Arabic) is a narrow strait located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Geographical Features

Connecting Link: It connects the Red Sea (to the north) with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea (to the south).
The Suez Link: It is a vital component of the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal.
Bordering Nations:

East: Yemen (Arabian Peninsula).
West: Djibouti and Eritrea (Africa).

Dimensions: At its narrowest, the strait is approximately 26–32 kilometres wide.
Perim Island: This volcanic island (also known as Mayyun) belongs to Yemen and divides the strait into two channels:

Western Channel (Dact-el-Mayun): The primary route for international shipping, about 26 km wide and 310 metres deep.
Eastern Channel (Bab Iskender): Used mainly for local traffic, it is narrower (3 km) and shallower (30 metres).

Strategic Significance

Oil & Gas Flows: Approximately 8.8 million barrels per day of crude oil and refined products pass through this strait, making it essential for global energy security. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA))

Trade Volume: It facilitates about 10-12% of total global seaborne trade, including critical shipments of grain, fertilizers, and consumer goods. (Source: UNCTAD)

Source: LIVEMINT

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following water bodies are directly connected by the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?

A. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

B. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

C. Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

D. Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Bab el-Mandeb serves as the southern gateway to the Red Sea, linking it to the Gulf of Aden and the broader Indian Ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is Arabic for "Gate of Tears" or "Gate of Grief". This name refers to the historically treacherous navigation and the many shipwrecks caused by its strong currents and narrow channels.

It connects the Red Sea (to the northwest) with the Gulf of Aden (to the southeast), which then opens into the Indian Ocean.

The strait is bordered by Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula to the northeast, and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African continent to the southwest.