🔻Qatar warns about the “catastrophic” consequences of the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

🔻Qatar warns about the “catastrophic” consequences of the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Qatar expressed concern about the severe consequences of the closure of the vital waterway “Bab el-Mandeb.”

According to Agence France-Presse, Ibrahim Hashemi, a senior official at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters: “The world has already been harmed enough by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, so Bab el-Mandeb should not be added to this equation.”

He said that closing the southern entrance to the Red Sea for all of the world would be “catastrophic” and that “we are already seeing its consequences… therefore, Qatar emphasizes diplomacy and dialogue.”

The Houthis have control over the eastern coast and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and there are concerns that they will block the route to the Suez Canal.

After taking control of the strait, the Houthis, in statements, emphasized that Bab el-Mandeb is open to all ships except those of Saudi Arabia.