--- title: "Qatar warns Bab el-Mandeb Strait closure would be catastrophic" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-09-15T17:05:16.077Z" source_reported: "2026-09-15T16:06:26.000Z" updated: "2026-09-15T17:05:16.077Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-15T19:04:27.150Z" --- # Qatar warns Bab el-Mandeb Strait closure would be catastrophic *Doha calls for diplomacy amid Houthi control of Red Sea islands and Strait of Hormuz blockade.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body, with two independent outlets and one named source. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from one named source, explains why it matters, and names affected parties. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline uses loaded adjectives and implies greater damage than the body of the report details. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Qatar has warned that closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would have catastrophic global consequences. - The warning was issued by Qatar's foreign ministry official Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi. - The Houthis have seized islands in the southern Red Sea, including Perim Island and the port of Mokha. - Bab el-Mandeb is a vital passage for vessels travelling between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. Qatar has warned that closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would be catastrophic for global trade and energy markets. Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi, director of media and communication at Qatar’s foreign ministry, stated that closing the entrance to the Red Sea would worsen disruptions already caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He urged diplomacy and negotiation to prevent such an outcome. The warning comes amid increased Houthi control over islands in the southern Red Sea. Reports indicate the Houthis have seized Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, control the port of Mokha, and occupy Perim Island at the entrance to the strait. These advances strengthen their position near the Bab el-Mandeb, a narrow maritime passage linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. ## Disagreement on Houthi control Euronews reported that both internationally-recognised government and Houthi officials confirmed the Houthi seizure of the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands. Live Mint stated that the Houthis have expanded their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and reported their push towards Mocha, Dhubab, Perim, and the Hanish Islands. Other reports do not specify the source of information regarding Houthi control of these locations. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports below mention the Kpler data cited by Live Mint, stating that petroleum volumes passing through Bab el-Mandeb amounted to about 7% of global oil output in June. ## Who covered it Shares of the 10 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 20% (2) - Centre: 20% (2) - Right: 60% (6) 16 of 26 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-15T19:04:27.150Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-15T19:15:26.403Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports from Euronews and L'Orient-Le Jour led on Qatar's warning about the catastrophic consequences of closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Both reports highlighted the statement by Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi that closing the strait would worsen existing disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Euronews also detailed the Houthi seizure of islands in the southern Red Sea and their control over the port of Mokha and Perim Island, explaining why Bab el-Mandeb is important for global shipping and Saudi Arabia's oil exports. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports from Live Mint, BFM TV, and cedarnews.net focused on Qatar's warning of catastrophic consequences from a Bab el-Mandeb closure, linking it to intensified regional tensions and Houthi advances. Live Mint provided extensive detail on the strait's geography, its importance for oil and global trade, and the potential impact of a closure, citing Kpler data that 7% of global oil output passed through in June. BFM TV and cedarnews.net questioned why a Bab el-Mandeb closure could cause more damage than Hormuz, noting its importance for overall trade between Europe and Asia, even if less significant for hydrocarbons alone. ### Right - The right-rated reports from news-pravda.com, topwar.ru, Arab News, Interfax.ru, and Le Figaro highlighted Qatar's warning that closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would be catastrophic, often quoting Al-Hashmi's statement that "the world has suffered enough" with the Strait of Hormuz already blocked. Arab News and Le Figaro mentioned the Houthi gains on the Red Sea coast as a backdrop to Qatar's warning. Interfax.ru noted Doha's favouring of diplomacy to resolve the situation. Le Figaro specifically mentioned the Gulf Emirate's call for "diplomaticism and dialogue." **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 2 - mixed: 5 - high: 3 - unknown: 16 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Frontier Post](https://thefrontierpost.com/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-al-mandab-closure) — Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab Al-Mandab closure - [Anatropi News](https://anatropinews.gr/2026/09/chouthi-100-000-ektopismenoi-stin-yemeni-synagermos-gia-bab-el-manteb) — Houthi Yemen: 100,000 Displaced & Alarm for Bab El-Mandeb - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/15/2593934.html) — "The world has suffered enough": Qatar warns against blockading Bab el-Mandeb - [topwar.ru](https://topwar.ru/289799-mir-uzhe-dostatochno-naterpelsja-katar-predostereg-ot-blokady-bab-jel-mandeba.html) — "The World Has Endured Enough": Qatar Warned Against the Blockade of Bab El-Mandeb - [ekonomim.com](https://ekonomim.com/dunya/hurmuzden-sonra-babulmendep-endisesi-katar-dunyayi-uyardi-haberi-918399) — After Hormuz, Now Bab El Mandeb Concerns: Qatar Warns the World. - [dailythedestination.com](https://dailythedestination.com/qatar-warns-bab-al-mandab-closure-would-be-catastrophic) — Qatar Warns Bab al-Mandab Closure Would Be Catastrophic - THE DESTINATION - [Euronews](https://euronews.com/2026/09/15/losing-access-to-bab-el-mandeb-would-be-catastrophic-for-the-entire-world-qatar-warns) — Losing access to Bab el-Mandeb would be 'catastrophic,' Qatar warns - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/middle-east/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-al-mandab-closure-3001814) — Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab Al-Mandab closure - [AJN Agencia de Noticias](https://agenciaajn.com/noticia/qatar-advierte-sobre-un-cierre-catastrofico-para-el-mundo-entero-del-estrecho-de-bab-el-mandeb-313261) — Qatar Warns of a “Catastrophic Closure for the Whole World” of the Bab El-Mandeb Strait - [Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA](https://jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Qatar-Closing-Bab-el-Mandeb-Would-Be-Catastrophic-55974) — Qatar: Closing Bab el-Mandeb Would Be Catastrophic - [TV9 Hindi](https://tv9hindi.com/world/hormuz-bab-al-mandeb-houthi-iran-oil-supply-crisis-india-impact-3907746.html) — Bab Al-Mandeb Siege After Hormuz, What Impact Will It Have on Your Life? - [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1750173/43/qatar-peringatkan-dampak-bencana-akibat-penutupan-selat-bab-al-mandab-1789470595) — Qatar Warns of Catastrophic Impact From Closure of Bab Al-Mandab Strait - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3051661/depois-de-ormuz-bab-el-mandeb-consequencias-seriam-catastroficas) — After Ormuz, Bab El-Mandeb? Consequences Would Be "Catastrophics" - [The Peninsula Qatar](https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/09/2026/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-al-mandab-closure) — Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab al-Mandab closure - [madhyamam.com](https://madhyamam.com/gulf-news/qatar/major-disaster-if-bab-al-mandab-strait-is-closed-1554808) — Closing Bab Al-Mandab Strait Would Spell Major Disaster; Qatar Issues Warning | Closure of Bab Al-Mandab Strait Would Spell Major Disaster; Qatar Issues Warning - [Live Mint](https://livemint.com/news/world/qatar-warns-of-catastrophic-bab-al-mandeb-closure-what-it-means-for-oil-shipping-and-global-trade-11789469708807.html) — Qatar warns of ‘catastrophic’ Bab al-Mandeb closure: What it means for oil, shipping and global trade - [BFM TV](https://bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/energie/catastrophique-alerte-le-qatar-pourquoi-la-fermeture-de-bab-el-mandeb-pourrait-faire-encore-plus-de-degats-que-celle-d-ormuz_AV-202609150449.html) — "Catastrophic", Warns Qatar: Why the Closure of Bab Al-Mandeb Could Do Even More Damage than that of Ormuz - [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/world/1116217) — Qatar Warned of the Catastrophic Consequences of the Closure of the Bab El-Mandeb Strait - [NDTV Profit](https://ndtvprofit.com/world/catastrophic-for-entire-world-qatars-urgent-warning-on-potential-bab-al-mandab-closure-12049589) — 'Catastrophic For Entire World': Qatar's Urgent Warning On Potential Bab al-Mandab Closure - [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/09/15/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-almandeb-closure-) — Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab al-Mandeb closure - [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/francais/985480/catastrophique-alerte-qatar-pourquoi-fermeture-bab-el-mandeb) — "Catastrophic", Warns Qatar: Why the Closure of Bab Al-Mandeb Could Do Even More Damage than that of Ormuz - [Correio da Manhã](https://cmjornal.pt/mais-cm/especiais/conflito-no-medio-oriente/detalhe/qatar-alerta-que-encerramento-do-estreito-de-bab-el-mandeb-sera-catastrofico) — Qatar Warns that Closure of Bab El-Mandeb Strait Will Be "Catastrophic" - [Islamabad Post](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-al-mandeb-closure) — Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab al-Mandeb closure - [L'Orient-Le Jour](https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1547611/qatar-warns-against-catastrophic-bab-al-mandab-closure.html) — Qatar warns against 'catastrophic' Bab al-Mandab closure - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2161732/to-katar-proeidopoiise-gia-to-endechomeno-katastrofikoy-kleisimatos-toy-mpamp-el-mantemp) — Qatar Warns of Potential 'Catastrophic' Closure of Bab El-Mandeb - [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/le-qatar-avertit-qu-une-fermeture-du-detroit-de-bab-el-mandeb-serait-catastrophique-20260915) — Qatar Warns that a Closure of the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait Would Be "Disastrophic" ## Questions **What is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?** The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow maritime passage that links the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. It is a crucial gateway for ships travelling between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal, and is about 29 km wide at its narrowest point. **Why is Qatar warning about the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?** Qatar has warned that closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would be catastrophic for global trade and energy markets. This warning comes amid Houthi advances in the Red Sea and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has already disrupted shipping. **What is the current situation with Houthi control in the region?** Reports indicate that Houthi forces have seized islands in the southern Red Sea, including the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, and control the port of Mokha and Perim Island. These advances strengthen their position near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. **What are the potential consequences of closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?** A closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would force many vessels to take a longer, more expensive route around southern Africa, adding weeks to journeys and increasing fuel, insurance, and freight costs. This could significantly impact global supply chains and energy markets. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Qatar warns Bab el-Mandeb Strait closure would be catastrophic", https://mediabias.news/conflict/qatar-warns-bab-el-mandeb-strait-closure-would-be-catastrophic