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Bab el-Mandeb Strait

PYQs

9

Articles

4

Momentum

34

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently asks about the geographical location and geopolitical significance of strategic maritime chokepoints due to their impact on global trade, energy security, and international relations.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a strategic waterway separating Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula from Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal, making it a critical maritime chokepoint for global trade and energy transit.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Location

Between Arabian Peninsula (Yemen) and Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea).

Connection

Links Red Sea to Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean, southern access to Suez Canal.

Width

Approximately 30 km at its narrowest point.

Significance

One of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints for oil, gas, and goods transit between Europe and Asia.

Alternative

Serves as a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for some routes.

Geopolitical Impact

Its control or disruption has significant implications for global energy security and international trade.

Geopolitical Role

A major maritime chokepoint with immense geopolitical importance for energy security and trade.

Bordering Countries

Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea

Reference table

Key Global Maritime Chokepoints

ChokepointLocation/Connects
Bab el-Mandeb StraitRed Sea & Gulf of Aden
Strait of HormuzPersian Gulf & Gulf of Oman
Suez CanalMediterranean Sea & Red Sea
Strait of MalaccaIndian Ocean & South China Sea

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaPhysical & Regional Geography
Conceptual areaGeopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual areaPhysical Geography
Conceptual areaInternational Relations
Conceptual areaGeography
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Connects Red Sea to Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean.
  • Southern gateway to Suez Canal, vital for Europe-Asia trade.
  • Bordered by Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea.
  • Disruption impacts global oil prices and supply chains.
  • Houthi attacks highlight its geopolitical vulnerability.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Sele...

GeographyOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

GeographyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the bread...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following pairs: |Town|Sometime mentioned in news Country | |-- |--| |1. Aleppo | Syria| |2. Kirkuk|Yemen | |3. Mosul | Palestine | |4. Mazar-...

International RelationsOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

International RelationsOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

International RelationsOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

Physical & Regional GeographyGeopolitics & International ConflictsPhysical GeographyInternational Relations
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following pairs: |Town|Sometime mentioned in news Country | |-- |--| |1. Aleppo | Syria| |2. Kirkuk|Yemen | |3. Mosul | Palestine | |4. Mazar-...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the bread...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Sele...

Open question

With Houthi blockade on Saudi Arabia, Bab el-Mandeb returns to centre stage | Explained

28 Jul 2026 · The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, critical for global trade and energy flows, and a focal point for regional geopolitical tensions, impacting international supply chains and energy prices.

Read article

Fighting in Yemen intensifies, Houthis launch more attacks on Saudi Arabia

14 Sep 2026 · The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, crucial for global oil and trade routes, making it a flashpoint in regional conflicts like the Yemen Civil War.

Read article

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expel the Houthis from several areas around key strait, officials say

06 Oct 2026 · A vital maritime chokepoint between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, critical for global oil trade and a frequent flashpoint for regional conflicts due to its strategic importance.

Read article

Attacks on Saudi airports claimed by Houthi rebels kill 3 people, officials say

08 Oct 2026 · The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, crucial for global trade and energy transit, bordered by Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Often confused with

Freedom of Navigation and Maritime Choke Points

Open notesOften confused with

Yemen Civil War

Open notesOften confused with

Geopolitics of Energy and Global Oil Markets

Open notesOften confused with

Legality and Humanitarian Impact of Naval Blockades

Open notesOften confused with

Geopolitical Significance of Maritime Choke Points

Open notesOften confused with

Yemen Conflict and Geopolitics of the Red Sea

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 9 linked questions on Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

2024·Geography
Solve

Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Sele...

2026·Geography
Solve

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the bread...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

2017·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

2016·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs: |Town|Sometime mentioned in news Country | |-- |--| |1. Aleppo | Syria| |2. Kirkuk|Yemen | |3. Mosul | Palestine | |4. Mazar-...

2018·International Relations
Solve

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