China Seeks Safe Passage for Oil Tankers Through Yemen's Bab al-Mandeb Strait

Bab al-Mandeb, the second trade route to the Gulf after the Strait of Hormuz, is also almost closed. Bab al-Mandeb is blocked by the Houthi rebels. The Houthi rebels are attacking any ship, including American, that passes through here. But China has also started its jugaad here. China has started deals with the Houthi rebels, who are enemies of the US and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf. China's initiative is aimed at allowing its oil tankers to pass through the strategic waterway of the Red Sea safely. For this, China has started secret talks with the Iran-backed Houthi group of Yemen. These talks highlight China's growing diplomatic cleverness and strategy to challenge the regional balance of power. According to several sources, including a senior Iranian official, Beijing has directly asked the Houthis to promise the safe passage of their tankers. One of the first countries to do so was Bab al-Mandeb, which is located at the southern end of the Red Sea. Bab al-Mandeb is directly connected to the Red Sea.